Driving is a complicated task that requires training and years of experience to perfect. Careless driving can lead to car accidents that often lead to damage to property and at times even the loss of the lives of road users and passengers. In 2019 alone, 33,244 fatal motor vehicle crashes occurred in the United States. Here are a few safe driving tips for anyone planning to move to Los Angeles.
Be Careful Looking for Parking
Finding street parking in Los Angeles is one of the most difficult tasks. However, if you manage to find a spot, your car may be susceptible to a break-in by criminals. Moreover, the parking spot you secure may be a great distance from where you intend to go. Therefore, it is important to stay vigilant of your surrounding environment to ensure that your vehicle is secure.
Wear Your Seatbelt
It is important to ensure that you have your seatbelt on at all times. Buckling up reduces the extent of injuries you sustain on the occurrence of an accident. This is because the seat belt keeps you from crashing through your windows or windshield upon impact with another object. You also stand a chance of being ticketed in Los Angeles for not fastening your seat belt because it is against the law.
Be Patient
Driving requires you to be alert and keen on everything that is happening on the road. It is also important to ensure that you practice a lot of patience while driving, the majority of the accidents that occur are usually because of speeding. While in a rush, it is almost impossible to make good judgment calls. Alternatively, you can avoid this by planning your route properly and leaving for your destination early enough. Approximately $250 billion of the United States’ economy is generated from the toll of auto accidents. Driving fast does not guarantee that you will get there in good time. Los Angeles experiences traffic jams due to its large population.
Never Get Behind the Wheel Intoxicated
It is important to note that your judgment is impaired while you are under the influence of any drug. There are also certain types of prescription and non-prescription drugs that have the same effect on you. Drugs impair your judgment, which often leads to car accidents that cause a lot of damage to property and even the loss of lives. It is also against the law to drive while under the influence of any drug because you are endangering other peoples’ lives.
Be Mindful of Others
There is a crop of new drivers getting on the road each year. In 2020, the sales for new and used car dealers in the United States reached $916 billion and $106.6 billion respectively. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are mindful of other road users while driving. Safety should be your main priority while driving.
Stay on Alert
Distraction is the main enemy of driving. A split second of distraction while on the road could lead to unimaginable damage of property and even the loss of life. You should avoid responding to text messages and phone calls while driving because it is impossible to multitask as driving requires your undivided attention. Other activities like changing music, eating, and engaging in conversations with other people also conform as distractions while driving. Any one of these acts could easily cause you to veer off the road or delay important judgment calls that could potentially lead to the occurrence of an accident.
It is important to be considerate of your safety and that of other road users. Driving safely helps prevent accidents thus saving lives. You should follow the traffic rules in place to keep you and your vehicle safe.
