Every time you get behind the wheel of your car, you have a responsibility to protect yourself, your passengers, the pedestrians and any other motorist on the road by being reasonable and ensuring you adhere to the traffic laws.
A survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that in every 10 seconds, someone in the US is involved in a car accident. In 2008 alone, about 37,261 people died, and 2,350,000 were injured in road accidents. Another survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-Highway Loss Data Institute revealed that in 2014, a total of 29,989 fatal crashes happened in the US, leading to 32,675 deaths.
In almost all these accidents, someone was negligent and could have avoided the crash by being more cautious. Although the environmental aspect factor in, in most cases, it’s the fault of the driver. If you are concerned about getting into a car accident, here are ways of avoiding car accidents:
Drive distraction free
Distraction is one of the leading causes of accidents in the US today. If you want to avoid getting into an accident, you should keep off of things that get your hands or eyes from the wheels. This could be anything from receiving or making a call while driving to checking your car’s navigation system for direction. Ideally, you should focus on driving 100%.
Take note of blind spots
Adjust your mirrors (rear view and side) to get a clear view of what’s behind and next to you. When you want to merge into another lane, you should turn physically and check the lane instead of relying solely on the mirrors. Don’t forget that semi-trucks have large blind spots and the driver may not see you – don’t assume.
Be on alert for threats
It’s highly recommended that you drive defensively by always watching out for potential problems. If you notice an aggressive driver who is swerving or shifting lanes rapidly, or you see a motorbike rider who is too close for comfort, or a pedestrian who seems like they may decide to jaywalk across the street, be ready for it. Try getting away from the threat in a safe way or be prepared to stop suddenly (or avoid a crash) if potential danger materializes.
Avoid drunk or drug driving
Drugs and alcohol not only impair your judgment, but they also affect your control and concentration. When you drive, you need your hands, eyes, and feet working together to control the car. You also need your brain to control your hands, eyes, and feet. But alcohol and drugs cut this coordination, exposing you and other drivers to all these sorts of danger.
Eat something before driving
Research has shown time and again that people who drive while angry drive more aggressively, resulting in an increased risk of accidents. The same applies to driving when you are emotional. Emotions, too, can affect your better judgment.
Auto accidents happen all the time – unfortunately, some give rise to crazy lawsuits that cost people lots of money. Following these directions can help you avoid auto accidents, which will save you lots of time, energy, and money.
