10 ways to prevent a car accident
Sure, I’m a personal injury attorney, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy listening to or representing victims of preventable car accidents. Part of my role is to help all drivers be safer on the road. Texting, eating and applying makeup while driving, changing the radio station, reprogramming the navigation system, talking on the phone, or driving while intoxicated all contribute to the more than 6 million auto accidents witnessed in the United States each year.
Although you may not participate in these distractions while driving, there are many others on the road who do and here are some simple tips to help avoid causing or being involved in an accident. Here are some simple reminders that can help you be safer!
1. Focus on the road and eliminate distractions: Cell phones, changing the CD, changing the music on your music player take your mind off the road. About 80% of the more than 6 million accidents each year are caused by distracted drivers.
2. Stay out of the “fast lane”:
According to research, most highway accidents occur in the left lane. The right and middle lanes offer more escape routes in an emergency, helping you avoid collisions.
3. Be vigilant:
Don’t just watch what the person in front of you is doing, pay attention to cars 3 or 4 lengths ahead of you. You’ll know what’s going down the road ahead, allowing you to avoid a collision if the person in front of you isn’t paying proper attention.
4. Hands on the wheel: Holding the steering wheel correctly at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions provides more control over your car, allowing you to react and maneuver more easily.
5. Watch your blind spots:
Quite a few accidents occur as a result of blind spots. Large truck drivers are often screened for this, but all drivers should monitor their blind spots, especially when changing lanes.
6. Be careful at intersections:
Intersections can be extremely dangerous. Never shoot when the light turns green; instead, make sure there are no vehicles crossing red lights. Also pay close attention to pedestrians who may have the right of way.
7. You can judge a driver by their vehicle: If a car has a significant amount of bodily damage, that can indicate a bad driver.
8. Familiarize yourself with your car and its capabilities – Know the limits of your vehicle so you can handle adverse conditions. If you have weak tires, do not accelerate or brake hard in the rain and leave a wide space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
9. Perform Routine Maintenance Visit your mechanic on time with factory recommended services, oil changes, etc. Monitor the list of car recalls in particular and make sure the recalls are fixed as soon as possible.
10. Avoid driving at night. Reduced visibility and a higher rate of drunk driving make the roads particularly dangerous after hours.