As much as many tremble at the thought of getting into a road accident, there is one sad fact. They do occur, and they do not come knocking or sounding an alarm bell. The good news, however, is that most of them are preventable. Here are some ingenious ways you can prevent an accident while driving.
1. Drive Defensively
Not every driver you see behind the wheel is necessarily qualified. This is among the reasons so many people get into accidents on the roads. Especially when the accident involves a heavy commercial vehicle, it can cause overly severe injuries, if not fatal. Victims of trucking accidents are usually subjected to a lot of pain and suffering. The aftermath of a truck accident can have a huge toll on the physically, emotionally, and financially. This is why, when involved in one, talking to an accident attorney should be among the first things you do as you recover. Below are a few tips you can use to be a better driver.
- Stay Alert: Driving defensively means keeping your eyes on the road at all times. It means staying alert and keeping an eye on the mirrors. They give you a glimpse of what is happening around you. It will help you switch lanes safely as you observe your speed limit and evade potential dangers.
- Road Signs: Traffic lights and road signs are your guides while on the move. For instance, when you are driving, you will come across road signs dictating the speed you can use as at that time. Some drivers tend to ignore them, but road signs are overly crucial in helping avoid potential collisions. Use your signals properly, and do not forget to turn them off after switching lanes.
- Keep a Safe Distance: There can never lack an aggressive driver, those who keep hooting and throwing insults. Sometimes you can give way and let them pass. Keeping some distance from the car ahead also gives you the time to react to a situation without causing harm and damage.
2. Be a Responsible Driver
The first thing to check to avoid accidents is your car. Make sure it has enough water, oil, and gas. The brakes should be in good shape and the car should have been serviced recently. That will give you the confidence to tear the road. While on the road, avoid unnecessary speeding or reckless driving.
Even with the car in good condition, you can still have an accident if you have too many distractions while behind the wheel. For this reason, avoid using your phone while driving at all costs, especially texting. It is a potential life-taker. To be safe, put your phone on silent mode to cut the distractions. If you have to take urgent calls, consider using your car’s hands-free calling feature or having one installed.
Additionally, a responsible driver does not carry excess passengers in his car. Always limit the number of people to what your machine is designed to accommodate. Make sure everyone has their seatbelts on. Children should be seated at the back, buckled up in their car seats depending on their age.
3. Avoid Drunk Driving
Impaired driving has been the cause of so many accidents globally, a huge percentage of which normally result in fatalities. To prevent the dangers associated with drunk driving, never take the wheel intoxicated. If you went out and had a few drinks, or smoked a joint while having fun, it is best to take a cab home and leave your car at a secure location. It also pays to have a dedicated driver tag along if you think you will indulge in booze or other intoxicants at some point. Also, try to avoid driving when stressed, fatigued, or on medication that could impair your concentration while behind the wheels.
4. Identify and Work On Weaknesses
This is a broad topic, but we can cut across the easiest ways to avoid collisions on the tarmac. First, if you know you have a road weakness, consider working on it gradually towards perfection. For instance, many people find it difficult to drive at night and when the weather is poor. You can get an experienced driver to accompany you and help you overcome such obstacles.
If you suffer from some kind of trauma or road phobia such as anxiety while driving over a bridge, you can consider seeking treatment as you try to overcome the fear. Developing the right attitude about driving will also help you be on the safe side of the roads.
Finally, obeying all the traffic rules can help lower your chances of getting into an accident while on the road. Pull into traffic slowly, watch out for blind spots, and avoid overtaking in corners. Practicing these, along with the few tips above, can help keep you and others safe from road accidents by a large margin.
