Seven Ways to Avoid Automobile Accidents
Over 90% of automobile accidents can be avoided. By following the speed limit, staying focused on driving, stopping at stop signs and red lights, and avoiding the temptation to drink and drive, you can make the roads a safer place. Safe driving practices may seem so simple and commonplace to drivers, but in today’s hectic driving world they are often overlooked, forgotten, or simply ignored. Although there is no guarantee that using common sense and being knowledgeable about the common factors causing accidents will prevent their occurrence, using this information will help make the roads safer for everyone.
Before you get behind the wheel, review these tips to help make you a safer driver and to help avoid accidents when you’re on the road:
- Don’t drink and drive. If you drink, don’t drive.
- Don’t drive distracted. Don’t use mobile devices when you are driving a vehicle. Stay off the phone and don’t text. If you must use the phone or any other mobile device while on the road, pull over to the side of the road when it’s safe to do so.
- Drive at safe speeds. Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for traffic conditions increases your chances of being killed in an auto accident.
- Use caution at intersections. Intersections are the center of most accidents. When entering an intersection, look left, then right, then left again to ensure the area is clear.
- Change lanes properly. Check all mirrors and signal long before you plan to change lanes. Keep an eye out for other vehicles that might be in blind spots.
- Don’t follow too closely. A generally safe and easy rule to follow is the two-second rule. There should be enough distance between you and the car in front of you to be able to count one-one thousand, two-one thousand from the time the car is at an object until the time your car reaches that same object.
- Do not encourage aggressive drivers. Let others’ aggressive driving behavior roll off your back, or call the police.