A recent online study showed that certain driving situations stress the drivers out. They might feel nervous while undergoing a parallel parking, taking the vehicle in reverse or simply during taking a hair clip turn. But if you are mentally stressed out while driving, you invite unconscious moves that can lead to fatal accidents. Keeping this safety aspect in mind, you need to learn how to reduce stress that results from driving-related activities.
Here are few such tricks we got to learn from an expert team of test drivers we met at the Scottsdale Mazda showroom.
Learn and Practice
Maybe you’ve learned how to drive, but not how to drive well. That’s the reason why you get stressed out in certain driving situations. Brush up your driving skills from an experienced and renowned driving coach. Do not feel shy to let him/her know, where you face difficulties. Learn the tricks of the trade and practice it before trying out in real life driving. You can now feel energetic and cool.
Plan Your Driving Route in Advance
Knowing the traffic rules of different areas need experience that you cannot buy overnight. To avoid being trapped into violating them unknowingly, that can further stress you out like hell, plan your driving route in advance, get to know the traffic rules of the areas you are going to cross. Like when it allows one way, and when both ways, and so on. Make good use of the navigation tool that will automatically guide you through the best route. And there you are!
Keep Snacks and Beverages Handy
Do not drive any further if you are feeling thirsty or hungry. As soon as you feel these pangs, pull your car aside. Sip on your favorite beverage and munch on your snacky packet immediately. There’s no reason to feel shy of these basic needs, instead serve them better to drive safe. Keep these items handy, so that you don’t need to look for a shop or restaurant that may distract your attention from driving.
Take Help from Technology
Technology can act as your best friend during a stressful driving. If you upgrade your car with all the latest drive assist systems, like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, 360 degree view cameras, lane keep and departure alarms, and especially driver behavior monitoring system, you don’t need to take any stress for anything at all. Systems like automatic rear parking assist etc., are now doing all the jobs behalf of the driver that are majorly stressful.
Observe Your Mind
Nothing can know your mind better than yourself. Driving is a continuous process, and it needs constant attention, alertness and immediate response to the several driving challenges. If you find yourself clenching too much on the steering wheel, or drooping more at the forward direction, making yourself seated uncomfortably, or pressing the pedals too hard, know your mind is already stressed out. Take a break as soon as possible. Drink some water, move your limbs, neck and fingers, lean back, and calm your mind down with a pleasant thought. This is a life-saving tip that we once heard from an expert driver serving at the Scottsdale Mazda dealership.
