Every driver has a responsibility to make sure that they are safe on the roads. Paying attention to the way that you drive is an important part of that, but you also need to consider how safe your vehicle is. Unfortunately, a lot of people neglect important safety checks, which puts them and other road users in danger. It only takes a few minutes to give your car the once over and make sure that there are no underlying issues that could be dangerous, so it’s a good habit to get into. Here’s how to do your own car safety check before you hit the road. 

Check For Warning Lights 

Your car is pretty good at telling you if there is something wrong and modern cars, in particular, have all sorts of warning lights to notify you of a potential problem. So, the first thing you should do is see whether there are any unusual flashing lights on the dashboard and if there are, do something about it. So many people ignore their warning lights and hope that they’ll go away, but they are there for a reason and they will only disappear once you tackle the problem. Sometimes, it might be something simple like refilling the screen wash, but if you have a check engine light on, you need to get your car looked at right away. 

Check The Tires 

Under inflated tires can be incredibly dangerous, as can worn down ones without enough tread. So, before you head out, you should always go around and quickly check the tires. Make sure that they aren’t worn down and give them a quick push to make sure that they are well inflated. If they are feeling a little flat, you can pump them up at a gas station or consider investing in your own pump to use at home. If the tread is too worn down, you need to replace the tires as soon as possible. 

Test The Brakes 

The brakes are your most important safety feature, so always check that they are working before you set off. As you pull out of the driveway, give them a quick test and listen out for any strange sounds or anything that feels off. Even if it’s just something small, get down to a Local Brake Shop right away and get them checked over. It might be nothing, but you can’t take any chances where your brakes are concerned because if they fail, you put yourself and others in serious danger. 

Check The Headlights 

Your headlights are another vital safety feature and if they fail, you are in serious trouble. That’s why you should always check them before you drive away, even during the day. If they are dimmer than usual and they get brighter when you rev the engine, that’s a sign that you have a problem with the battery. If they’re not working at all, you probably just need to change the bulb. 

If you do all of these quick safety checks before you drive away, you can limit the chances of a dangerous accident on the road.