NEWS
Avoiding a Car Accident 101: 5 Ways to Stay Safe
No driver wants to find themselves in the position where they are cruising down the road one minute, only to find themselves involved in a horrific car accident one minute later. Driving often becomes a mundane activity after doing it for so many years, but this doesn’t mean that it should be taken lightly. No driver should ever relax their attention when they are behind the wheel, as this is exactly what can lead to a car accident. Instead, be vigilant and utilize methods which can help any driver avoid a wreck.
How Often Do Fatal Car Accidents Occur?
Despite the fact that car accidents rarely seem to happen to individuals, they are quite common globally. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimations that around 3,700 people are killed globally on a daily basis in wrecks, with 1.35 million succumbing to injuries caused by car accidents on a yearly basis. In fact, for those aged 1-54 in the United States, road traffic crashes are the leading unnatural cause of death, going to show just how serious this issue is.
5 Crucial Ways to Avoid a Car Accident
Given the prominence of car accidents outlined above, learning how to avoid a car accident entirely should always be a priority. While they may not always be avoidable, the following five tips will give any driver the best shot at reducing the risk:
1. Limit the amount of night driving you perform
Reducing the amount of time a person drives at night reduce the risk of a car accident in two main ways. First, it helps to ensure that a driver is more awake on the road and not drowsy due to the darkness. Second, it improves visibility on the road which naturally makes for a safer driving experience as a whole. With both these factors combined, a driver has significantly less risk on the road during the day than at night.
2. Practice driving in poor weather conditions in a safe environment
While it may not seem like it, poor weather conditions are a leading cause of car accidents around the world. Due to this, all drivers should expose themselves to a variety of weather conditions, in a controlled environment such as a parking lot, so that they can get used to driving when it is not perfectly sunny outside. Whether it’s torrential rain, heavy snowfall, hurricane winds, or something similar, being ready for poor weather is crucial as a driver.
3. Take care of any distractions before your vehicle is put in drive
The modern day is full of new distractions on the road that past generations did not have, which makes for a unique driving experience. Whether it’s checking a cellphone or even eating food while driving, try to limit the distractions in a vehicle that pop up while the car is in motion. Additionally, to avoid road rage incidents with other drivers, don’t tailgate anyone you see who may be texting illegally, rather report them to the police.
4. Never drive under the influence of any substances
It should go without saying that driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any other substance should never happen. It’s best to still never get behind the wheel even if you are below the legal limit for alcohol, as any type of substance in your system can impair your driving skills. Naturally, drugs should never be mixed with driving regardless of the legality of the drug.
5. Leave enough space between yourself and other vehicles
Finally, it’s important to leave more than enough space between vehicles when on the road. The best way to go about this is to follow the 3-to-4 second rule of thumb on roadways. This means that you should leave at least 3-to-4 seconds between your vehicle and another vehicle. This will give your car enough stopping time in the event you need to react quickly, or enough time to simply make a maneuver on the road that can avoid a crash.
The Bottom Line
Car accidents can be dangerous regardless of how serious they may be. In the event an accident does occur, always inspect yourself for injury first to ensure emergency services are not required. Once this has been handled, you can focus one exchanging information with the other driver and contacting the authorities if it’s necessary. In the meantime, consider hiring a lawyer who can help you build a legal defense if you are being accused of causing the accident through negligence.
Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.
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