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You can take many steps to reduce the risk of car accidents. However, one can never be too careful, as collisions tend to happen fast and can lead to injuries, pain, and costly financial implications.
According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, over 1.35 million people die in fatal crashes yearly. The global epidemic of car crashes is quickly becoming a public health concern, and motorists are encouraged to stay informed about how to avoid them.
Car accidents are not only harmful to motorists. They also harm pedestrians, road workers, and riders on two wheels. Up to 50 million road users suffer life-long disabilities due to serious car accidents. Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of car accidents.
10 Ways To Avoid Car Accidents
Most people wouldn’t dream about car accidents, but it is a reality. With that said, here are ten ways to reduce your risk of getting into a car accident.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of car accidents. Taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds to check a text message, reach in the back for a bag of chips, or change channels on the radio might not seem like a big deal.
However, up to nine people are killed daily, with up to 1000 suffering serious injuries on the roads due to such minor distractions.
Always keep your eyes on the road. Distractions, however minimal, take your attention off the road and create the opportunity for unexpected collisions. Many collisions are caused by cell phone use while driving, with one in four crashes caused by texting.
Consider turning off your phone while driving or keeping it in the backseat. You can also alert your family and friends that you are behind the wheel, so they know not to text you while driving.
Another tip to avoid cell phone use is to invest in GPS so that you do not have to rely on your phone for directions.
Avoid Drinking and Driving
The CDC reports that one in every three fatal car accidents involves a drunk driver. There are plenty of resources showing the dangers of drunk driving. However, some people still drive even after having a few drinks.
Drinking any amount of alcohol affects your reflexes and reduces your ability to judge the speed, distance, and movement of other vehicles. Even if you only had one drink, you could end up tired or drowsy and lose concentration on the road.
Always plan ahead to take an Uber or a Lyft home. If these options are too costly, consider having a designated driver who will not drink any alcohol to drive you home. Remember that while a cab seems expensive, the fines from a DUI can run into thousands of dollars.
It is simply unwise to drink and drive as you could end up losing your job or license, facing jail time, or even suffering life-long injuries.
When in Doubt, Slow Down
We have all been late for an important interview. However, no matter how important it is to make it in time, getting there safely is better than not arriving at all.
Slow down and identify any potential road hazards that could cause an accident.
Take some time off the road to plan and explore different routes that might get you to your destination faster.
Do not speed, as you could get involved in a fender bender which will further delay you from getting to your destination on time.
Do Not Make Assumptions
While it is possible to remain in control of your driving, you can never predict how other drivers are making decisions behind the wheel.
It is easy to assume a driver will make a stop and turn as expected while they may have missed the stop sign altogether.
Drive cautiously and check all road and traffic signs. If a driver does not stop at a stop signal, do not take the same risk.
Consider the Traffic and Current Weather
Driving the same route every day in warm, sunny weather is vastly different from driving on it when it is dark, rainy, or icy.
Always consider the current weather because snow, sun glare, ice, and rain can all increase the risk of getting into an accident.
Heavy traffic also increases the risk of accidents caused by unexpected lane changes, blind spots, unexpected stops, and cars driving too closely together.
Depending on the weather or traffic, stay at home. If it is absolutely necessary that you drive, slow down.
Watch Your Speed
Speeding is another leading cause of fatal car accidents, with the National Highway and Traffic Administration estimating up to 10,000 fatalities annually. Driving over the speed limit can end up costing you or other innocent road users’ lives.
Driving at higher speed limits means endangering your life and the lives of road users who carefully observe the speed limit.
Even if you are in a hurry, do not speed. If you are running late, call ahead or, better yet, plan to leave early so you have plenty of time to get to your destination.
Remember, speeding tickets are costly, and you could also lose points on your license.
Buckle Up
Seat belts are designed to keep you safe in case of a crash. You should always buckle up, even if you are driving just a few blocks away.
As discussed earlier, you might be careful behind the wheel, but there is no predicting how other motorists will drive.
Buckling up saves over 14,000 lives annually compared to almost half the annual fatalities caused by not wearing a seatbelt.
It takes no more than five seconds to put on your seatbelt to avoid being part of the statistics. Make it a rule for everyone in your car to wear their seatbelt.
Proper Car Maintenance
Proper car maintenance will help you detect problems early, keeping you safe on the roads. Poor maintenance leads to unpleasant surprises such as stalling, engine failure, brakes not working, and more.
It goes without saying that car failure at high speed can be fatal. There is also the risk of your vehicle veering off the road, causing property damage, and injuring innocent bystanders. Always check:
- Your tires monthly
- The oil after every 7,500 miles
- The brake fluid, washer fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant regularly
- Rotate your tires after every 6 months
- Replace the engine coolant every 2-3 years or after 30,000 miles
- The air filter after 12,000 miles
- The power steering fluid, making sure to change it after every 3 years
Follow Traffic Rules
From speed limits to stop signs, all road signs serve the purpose of keeping order on the roads to reduce the risk of car accidents.
Obeying traffic rules keeps you safe and ensures no one is seriously injured due to mistakes that could be easily avoided.
Remember, when you get behind the wheel, you have a duty to be careful, drive safely, and prevent unnecessary accidents.
Park Carefully
Last but not least on our list of how to prevent car accidents is careful packing. Not all car accidents occur when you are speeding down the highway.
While drivers are mostly wary of pedestrians in parking lots, many more are looking for the ideal parking spot.
As a result, they do not pay attention to shopping carts, kids running behind vehicles, or car doors opening unexpectedly. When parking your vehicle, keep an eye on what is happening around you.
Summary
With these tips, you can reduce the risk of car accidents and stay safe on the roads. In the event that you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney immediately to find out the next steps.
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