Accidents on the roads happen for a variety of reasons, and sometimes they can be avoidable. But in most cases, road accidents are caused by human behaviour.
This means that we should drive carefully and try to avoid car crashes. Using these 4 effective ways will reduce the chances of an accident occurring.
1. Drive Safely
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States, killing over 100 people per day. Although road accidents can be caused by a number of factors, there are some things you can do to minimize your chances of becoming involved in an accident.
Driving safely is one of the most important ways to avoid a crash. Drivers should follow the rules of the road at all times, and stay alert to potential dangers.
The most common causes of traffic accidents include distracted drivers, inclement weather, and bad visibility. These factors can lead to serious car collisions, so it’s essential that drivers focus on their driving and keep themselves safe on the road.
Distracted drivers often miss traffic signals changing from green to yellow, and may not notice vehicles braking before making turns. Other common distractions include eating, drinking, and talking on the phone.
It’s also essential that drivers don’t ignore their sat nav. While your sat nav might indicate you should turn right, it’s not always accurate, so it’s better to drive by feeling rather than on assumptions.
You should also make sure you have a good distance between you and the cars in front of you. This will help you stop in case of an emergency, and it’s especially vital when the weather is bad.
When you’re traveling in heavy rain, snow, sleet, or ice, stay below the speed limit and be especially careful on curves. If you’re not confident in your ability to handle the conditions, consider delegating your driving duties to someone else.
Another effective way to prevent road accidents is to avoid tailgating. This is a dangerous practice that can lead to fender benders or even fatalities.
Large trucks and buses have a significant weight difference between them and passenger vehicles, so it’s important to maintain a proper distance and pay attention when you’re behind these larger vehicles. A rear-end collision with a truck or bus can result in severe damage and injury.
It’s also important to slow down when you encounter potential hazards, such as an animal on the side of the road. It’s a good idea to pull over when necessary and take a break if you are feeling tired or drowsy.
2. Avoid Distractions
Distractions are one of the biggest causes of road crashes. These distractions can cause drivers to miss an exit, slow their reaction times, swerve out of their lane and into oncoming traffic or even crash into another car.
The most common distraction is cell phone use. This is against the law in many states, and you should be sure to set your phone to silent before getting into your vehicle. If you need to check your phone while driving, pull over and make the call or text at a safe location.
Other types of distractions include eating, drinking and smoking. You should always drive with a licensed driver in the front seat. You should also avoid talking with your passengers while you’re driving.
Passengers can help you navigate, but they can also distract you if they’re noisy or disruptive. They can also encourage you to speed or break traffic rules.
Dogs, cats and other pets can also be a distraction. If you’re driving with a pet, ensure it’s not in the driver’s seat or anywhere near your face.
These types of distractions are not only dangerous to you, but they can be incredibly frustrating. For example, if you’re trying to work on an important presentation while your cat keeps rubbing on the back of your head, it can be a lot more difficult than you might think to keep your focus on the task at hand.
While these can be difficult to control, there are ways to avoid them. You can use a hands-free device when you’re on the phone or use a separate device to check your emails and texts while you’re driving.
You can also use an advanced technology called crash avoidance systems to help prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. These technologies can send alerts to drivers when they’re getting too close to a collision. Some systems even have the ability to avert an accident altogether. If you’re a distracted driver and are in the wrong lane, a crash avoidance system can direct your attention back to the road.
3. Slow Down
One of the best ways to avoid road crashes is to slow down. Drivers who drive too quickly are more likely to make mistakes and cause accidents, while drivers who are distracted or drowsy are also more susceptible to making errors on the road.
Driving too fast can be a dangerous practice, regardless of the conditions and weather on the road. It can increase the risk of hitting another vehicle, getting lost or having to make an emergency stop in a dangerous location.
In addition to lowering your chances of being involved in a crash, driving slowly can be a great way to reduce stress and save money on gas. It also allows you to appreciate the scenery, and it can be a nice time to think about your own life and what matters most.
When you drive slow, you’ll be more aware of traffic around you and what drivers may be doing suddenly that could cause a crash. If you notice that someone is tailgating (following too closely), you can adjust your speed to allow more space between you and the other vehicle.
Using the 3- to 4-second rule is a great way to establish a safe following distance that can provide ample time to brake and react to any hazard that arises. You can also use this rule when driving in bad weather conditions or when following a larger vehicle or truck.
This is especially true when the road is wet or icy. It can take a lot longer to stop your car on ice or snow, and it’s more difficult to see what is happening at the sides of the road.
While driving slowly, be sure to stay in the right lane. This will help prevent faster vehicles from trying to pass you in the wrong lane or illegally changing lanes.
If you’re in a popular tourist spot or near a landmark, it’s possible that other drivers will be distracted by the sights and sounds and will slow down unexpectedly. These people may not realize that they are putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk by slowing down.
4. Look Before You Lean
One of the smartest things you can do when driving is to look around. Take a gander at your rear view mirror, and your side windows to get a bird’s eye view of the action. You’ll be surprised what you find. As you’re swerving from lane to lane, it’s a good idea to be aware of your surroundings as much as possible, and be prepared for the unexpected. Taking a cue from your fellow motorists can be a big help, but it’s important to remember that you are still in control of the vehicle at all times. As the road rage and its associated hazards become more prevalent, we must all do our part to reduce the number of casualties on the roads. The most effective way to do this is to educate ourselves about the plethora of safety and mobility devices that are available to us, and take full advantage of them.
