How to Prevent Car Accidents: 6 Key Tips
It’s hard to imagine they exist, but there are days when there are no car accidents in the United States. It’s not common, but it has happened, and it is the safest day to drive thus far!
Unfortunately, it is not that day every day. More than 3 million Americans suffer from injuries due to car accidents resulting in emergency room visits yearly.
Are you worried about accidents and staying safe on the road? We’ve got all the answers!
Keep reading for our top six tips on how to prevent car accidents.
1. Drive Defensively
Drivers who actively lessen the risks of driving are said to practice defensive driving. Defensive driving is all about being aware of potential risks and other road users’ movements so you can take preventative measures to avoid an accident.
Look 15 seconds ahead so you can anticipate dangers and have time to react. Always aim to check your mirrors and glance past the car in front because doing so can help you spot potential risks before it’s too late.
2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
One of the best ways to prevent car accidents is to be aware of your surroundings. This means keeping your eyes on the road and being aware of other drivers’ actions.
Did you know that driving while being inattentive is the most common cause of car accidents? Anything that diverts your focus from the road constitutes a distraction while driving.
Pay attention to the cars around you, and be aware of what they are doing. If you see a vehicle that seems to be swerving or driving erratically, move away from it.
Also, be sure to stay alert when you are driving. Don’t text or talk on the phone while you are behind the wheel.
If you are tired, pull over and take a break. It is also a good idea to avoid driving in bad weather conditions if you can.
3. Follow Road Markings
Road markings guide drivers and help keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely. Thermoplastic road markings are commonly used because they are highly adhesive, heat stable, color resistant, and fast drying.
Road markings can be easy to miss, so it’s essential to be aware of them and know what they mean. Driver safety is the top priority.
Center lines are used to separate lanes of traffic going in different directions. Stay in your lane and don’t cross the center line.
Turn lanes are designated lanes for turning. Signal your intention to turn, and then stay in the turn lane until you have completed the turn.
Pedestrian crosswalks are areas where pedestrians have the right of way. Be sure to yield to pedestrians and give them plenty of time to cross the street.
Stop lines are lines painted at intersections where traffic must stop. Be sure to come to a complete stop at the stop line and then proceed only when it is safe to do so.
4. Obey the Speed Limit
One way to help prevent car accidents is to obey the speed limit. Speed limits are designed to keep traffic flowing safely and smoothly.
If everyone were to drive the speed limit, it would minimize abrupt starts and stops and reduce the chance of rear-end collisions. Additionally, it would give drivers more time to react to potential hazards on the road.
There are speed restriction signs for a purpose. They tell you what speed is best to drive on that specific road.
If you drive too fast, your reaction time will be slower, and it will take longer to stop your automobile.
5. Maintain a Safe Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you is one of the most important things you can do to prevent car accidents. This will help you avoid rear-ending the car in front of you and give you more time to react if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly.
If you tailgate, you’re much more likely to rear-end the car in front of you if they have to brake suddenly. A good rule of thumb is to leave one car length between you and the car in front of you for every 10 miles per hour you’re traveling.
So, if you’re driving 30 miles per hour, you should leave three car lengths between you and the car in front of you.
6. Signal Before You Turn
You will eventually need to move to another lane, guaranteed. Car accidents frequently result from unsafe lane changes made by drivers.
Use your left and right turn signals to avoid collisions, and always check your blind areas before merging into the left or right lane.
To aid drivers, stop signs, turn signals, and lanes marked for turning right or left instead of straight are all present. Automobile accidents frequently occur when drivers disobey these instructions.
Always check for signs and follow the correct right-of-way before turning to avoid getting into a car accident.
Other Useful Tips on How to Prevent Car Accidents
How to prevent car accidents? Here are some other vital things you can do to help prevent them.
Be well-rested. Keep your car in good condition. Ensure your tires are properly inflated, your brakes are working, and your lights are in good working order.
Add some of the above tips to your car safety documentation to ensure everyone in the car remains alert.
To read more on similar topics, check out what the rest of our blog has to offer.
