How to Drive Safely and Prevent Accidents on the Road - AllCarIndex
Being on the road can be dangerous and unpredictable. Every year, motor vehicle accidents claim the lives of thousands of people and injure countless others, without forgetting the millions of dollars in property damages and procedural legal fees. In reality, many of these accidents could have been avoided had the at-fault party not been careless, reckless, or intoxicated. So, to help you play your part as a responsible driver, here's a practical guide with some road safety essentials that will help keep accidents at bay.
Wear Your Seat Belt
Whenever you step foot in a vehicle, whether as the driver or a passenger, your first reflex should be to strap in. In fact, make this a rule. Aside from being a legal obligation, seat belts are basic safety devices designed to keep a car's occupants safe in the event of a collision or crash. With unfastened seat belts, you risk getting sometimes fatal injuries to the head, ribcage, or lungs, and even being flung out of the vehicle. So, always buckle up!
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving accounts for a majority of accidents nowadays. Whether it's chatting with a passenger, answering a call or a text, or fiddling with the navigation system, any onboard activity that takes your attention off driving qualifies as distracted driving. Now, if you ever fall victim to an inattentive driver, the legal experts at https://www.kazlaw.ca/car-accident/ recommend soliciting the services of a specialized attorney to claim the compensation due for your ordeal. Whether you live in Texas or British Columbia, you'll find a qualified lawyer to advocate on your behalf and help you receive fair compensation to cover your damages or losses.
Respect Speed Limits
Abiding by speed limitations is one of the simplest ways to avoid being involved in an accident, or worse, causing one. Speed can undoubtedly be thrilling, but remember that the road is no playground. When you drive over a given speed limit, your car takes much longer to come to a full stop, therefore increasing the risk of collisions in unexpected situations. As such, you'll have a shorter window to react to a crossing pedestrian or another vehicle coming out of nowhere. Besides, you'd be exposing yourself to hefty fines.
Keep a Safe Security Distance
Likewise, tailgating never does any good, and it can be very perilous. In fact, one of the first things we learn upon taking up driving is to maintain a safe distance between our car and the one in front of us. Driving too close can result in fender-benders, or worse, pile-ups on the highway. If the car in front blows a tire or is suddenly forced to stop for any reason, that safe distance will help avert fatal collisions, crashes, and potential injuries.
Don't Engage with Careless or Aggressive Drivers
The road is a terrain for all sorts of lunatics, including tailgaters, need for speeders, drunk drivers, and whatnot. Chances are you've encountered more than a few of those. Whenever you cross paths, never be tempted to engage with them, chase them, proliferate insults, or flip them off. To be safe, stay in your lane, and keep your distances. If you suspect a driver is intoxicated or behaving abnormally, dial 911 immediately and give the operator a precise location.
Never Drive Under the Influence
Speaking of which, no one wants to be that person who gets arrested for being caught drunk behind the wheel. Driving under the influence is one of the most dangerous practices on the road. As a matter of fact, alcohol clouds your mind impairs your reflexes, and decreases your reaction time; in other words, a recipe for a traffic disaster. So, whenever you're returning from a boozy party, let a sober friend drive, or make arrangements to take a cab. The same goes for narcotics, opiates, and other illegal substances.
Pay Close Attention in Harsh Weather
If you live in an area that's prone to severe weather, you should be all the more careful while operating your vehicle. Rain, snow, hail, smoke, or dust significantly alters your visibility and makes maneuvering your car a risky endeavor. So, always keep your flashers on, drive carefully, and don't take any chances.
Perform Engine Maintenance Regularly
Last but not least, you'll want to bring in your car to the mechanic's every once in a while to make sure your engine, brakes, suspensions, and other vital components are in perfect working order. This is an obligation in many parts of the world, and failing to comply may earn you a costly fine or a license suspension.
All things considered, safety is the name of the game on the road. Too many people get injured or lose their lives over trivial oversights, such as failing to wear a seat belt, speeding, or faulty brakes. So, to keep yourself, your passengers, and your fellow drivers out of danger, always showcase vigilance, alertness, and compliance with the law behind the wheel.