As a driver, you want to avoid accidents at all cost. Aside from all the financial consequences of being involved in a car accident, the more important factor that you think of is the safety of everyone involved. Every time you get inside a vehicle to drive, you are operating a dangerous piece of machinery that not only affects you but everyone and everything that you will encounter on the road. Whether you’re an experienced driver or someone who just got their driver’s license, there will always be things that you can improve or start doing to make your driving safer.
Good habits are essential to build when you are a driver. Once these habits have become a part of your everyday driving, it can minimize the risk of you getting involved in a car accident and become a safer and more responsible driver. Here are some of the things that all drivers should be doing whenever they drive a vehicle:
1. Keep your vehicle safe. – Before driving any vehicle, especially when driving it for the first time, you should make sure that the automobile is safe. Even a simple safety check can help you prevent accidents from happening. Check all of your lights, especially your signal lights, to make sure that they are operating properly. Check your tires to make sure that they are correctly inflated and look for fluid leaks on the ground where the vehicle is parked. All of these checks can be done visually and would not take more than a couple of minutes.
2. Do not drink and drive. – As cliché as it may sound, being a responsible and safe driver means that you will not operate a vehicle if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even with low blood-alcohol level, your reflexes become slower, and your judgment is impaired. It’s best to just get a taxi or ask a friend to pick you up instead of risking a car accident and possibly getting jail time (driving under the influence is a crime).
3. Follow speed limits. – We all want to get our destinations in the fastest way possible, but in reality speeding can only save you a few minutes and the risk of getting into an accident while speeding is exponentially high. The best way to get to your appointment in time is to leave earlier after all being a good driver also means that you anticipate things and think ahead.
4. Avoid distractions. – Distractions don’t just refer to texting while driving (which is illegal in many of the states), try to avoid eating, applying makeup, and even tinkering with your vehicle’s radio while driving. It’s best to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel.
5. Don’t drive when you’re drowsy or sleepy. – Driving while you’re sleepy can be as dangerous as driving while under the influence. The consequences of driving while you’re sleepy can range from inattention to falling asleep while driving, both of which can result in massive accidents, especially on high traffic roads. It’s best to have someone take over the wheel when you feel sleepy, or if you’re driving alone, find a rest stop and take a power nap to revitalize you.
6. Seatbelts save lives. – Your seatbelt will protect you in all instances of accidents. Even minor accidents can cause grave physical injuries to people who are not wearing a seatbelt. An unbelted person could hit their head on the dashboard or side window which can cause a head injury.
7. Defensive driving. – Defensive driving aims to train a driver above and beyond the rules of the road and the mechanics of a vehicle. Defensive driving endeavors to reduce the risk of vehicular collision by anticipating dangerous situation despite adverse conditions or mistakes by other drivers on the road. Aside from being safer, being a defensive driver may help you save some money. Some insurance companies give discounts to drivers who finish defensive driving courses.
Accidents can be lessened by always being cautious whenever you’re on the road, but there will be times when you cannot avoid an accident. Here are some tips on what to do after you were in a car accident.
You could contact us at Hogan Injury if you were involved in a car accident.
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