Whether you’ve been driving for ten years or ten days, car accidents do not discriminate. They happen to all types of people, even those who always obey the traffic laws. Careful driving won’t necessarily keep other, reckless drivers from plowing into you.
So, what hope is there, you might be wondering? There’s a lot, actually. Specifically, you can learn how to prevent car accidents with this defensive driving guide.
You see, with defensive driving techniques, you’re not only keeping yourself from causing an accident. You’re also on guard against accidents caused by others. To stay as safe as possible on the road, read and follow these defensive driving tips.
1. Drive Awake and Sober
It goes without saying that you must never drive drunk. But alcohol isn’t the only factor that impairs driving.
For instance, falling asleep at the wheel is just as deadly as driving drunk, according to schultzmyers.com. Make sure you get plenty of sleep before you plan on driving.
Trying new medication before driving is also not smart. Abstain from any medication that you’re unfamiliar with before driving. The same goes for antihistamines and other medicines that are known to cause drowsiness.
2. Don’t Drive Distracted
“Distracted” is even more dangerous than “impaired,” statistically speaking. Distracted driving claims the lives of approximately 8 people each day.
Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on driving for the entire trip. Don’t eat, comb your hair, or do any other activity while driving.
Only take phone calls if they’re “hands-free.” Better yet, just turn your phone off until you park.
Even flipping through radio stations can be dangerously distracting. It’s better to set up your music before the trip and leave it alone while the car’s in motion.
3. Don’t Speed
No, speeding will not significantly shorten the duration of the trip. Yes, speeding will increase your chances of getting in an accident. It’s never worth it to speed.
4. Assume the Worst of Other Drivers
Always assume everyone else on the road is a terrible driver. Think of it like Murphy’s Law.
If another driver has a red light, assume they’re going to run it. So, when your light turns green, look both ways and check that the other drivers are stopped before you proceed.
If there’s a car driving ahead of you, assume they might randomly slam down the brakes at any time. That way, you’ll stay prepared for this by not following too closely.
5. Don’t Neglect Maintenance
Obeying traffic laws won’t prevent your old, worn-out tires from exploding on the highway. What will prevent this is staying on top of vehicle maintenance.
Keep your tires inflated, get oil changes and tire rotations at the proper times—you know what to do. Or, if you don’t know, research it.
Share This Knowledge of How to Prevent Car Accidents
Please, drive responsibly according to these tips. But also, share this guide with others so they, too, can learn how to prevent car accidents.
Driving safely isn’t the only way to preserve your health. Check out our Health blog for more ways to keep yourself and others from harm.
