The temptation to keep driving your car when it has a problem is very high. After all, you need to go somewhere, and the problem seems so insignificant! For most of you, the issue needs to completely shut down your car before you decide not to drive. In some cases, you can get away with driving and not seeing any further problems or putting yourself at risk. However, if your car has any of the following issues, then you need to get out from behind the wheel and get them fixed!
Damaged windshield
A crack or a hole in your windshield is potentially dangerous. It may not seem that significant, but even a small crack presents a weakness in the glass. This means that a small item might hit your car and cause the glass to shatter. You can’t take this chance, so get it seen to right away. If the damage is severe, you may need a windshield replacement. Otherwise, you’re looking at a simple repair. Both of these services can usually be carried out at home, so you don’t have to drive your car.
By contrast, if you have a crack or a broken window on the side of the car, then it’s safe to drive as you can cover it up. You can’t do this with a windshield as you need to see what’s in front of you!
Broken lights
If any of the lights on your car are damaged, then you should ideally avoid driving. Especially if a pair of lights has gone out. You can sometimes get away with just one light working out of the two, but if they both go you’re in trouble. For starters, the police will pull you over if they see your lights aren’t working. Why? Because it’s illegal to do this as you put others at risk. Imagine driving with no brake lights. The car behind you won’t know that you’re braking and could drive into the back of you. Get your bulbs replaced if you notice they’ve broken!
Leaky fluids
‘Your car uses a variety of fluids to help it run safely and efficiently. As part of your regular maintenance routine, you should replace various fluids when they get low. So, if you notice that some fluids are leaking, you need to avoid driving anywhere. You don’t know what fluids are leaking from your car, which means it’s potentially dangerous to drive. What if it’s your brake fluid? Your brakes might not work properly, putting yourself and others at risk. Avoid the temptation and pop your bonnet to see if you find the source of the leak. If it’s a serious fluid leak, then call a mechanic and get it seen to ASAP.
At the end of the day, your safety is more important than anything else. Not only that, but the safety of other people in your car and on the roads. If your vehicle has any of these problems, then don’t put people at risk by driving it.
It is also a bad idea to drive your car if you have faulty brakes especially if you are intoxicated with alcohol. There are so many dangers of driving a car with fault brakes while drunk, and one of the most significant outcomes is getting arrested. If this happens, it is always a good idea to have a dui attorney in your contact list that you can reach out to.
Getting behind the wheels of a car with non-functional brakes when drunk increases your chances of getting into an accident. You will not be able to focus on the road, and you may also experience impaired judgment. If this is the case, you are more likely to get into an accident that may have severe outcomes.
Driving drunk may also lead to a slow reaction time. While driving, it is vital to remain on your toes to take the appropriate actions on time. This can help you avoid accidents on time, saving you and your passengers. But if you have alcohol in your system, your response time will be slower, and if, for instance, the car in front of you suddenly brakes, you may find yourself colliding with it since you will also not be able to take control of the brakes.
