There are millions of cars on America’s roads, but sadly, every single year, 6 million auto accidents occur on those very same roads. They lead to an average daily death toll of 100, as well as causing all kinds of physical and mental trauma for survivors, and even relatively minor accidents can lead to spiraling costs for medical bills, lost wages, legal expenses, and so on.
Often, accidents could so easily have been avoided if the drivers involved were following the rules and paying closer attention to their surroundings, and many crashes and collisions are caused by the simplest of things, such as a driver going a little too fast and not obeying the speed limit or someone checking their phone to read a text instead of keeping their eyes on the road.
Driving more safely and sensibly will therefore not just reduce your own risks of an accident, but can also contribute to setting a good example for all other drivers and helping to make our roads safer places to be. Safe driving should be a part of everyone’s lifestyle, and here are some smart tips for you to keep in mind whenever you get behind the wheel.
Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel
Of course, one of the first tips we can provide when it comes to safe driving is to follow the golden rules we all learn when we take our first ever driving lessons: keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel at all times. Never underestimate the importance of these core fundamentals, as they really can make all the difference.
Often, accidents happen when people let themselves get distracted, taking their eyes away from the road ahead to look at their GPS or their phone or a passenger while talking to them, or they might take one hand off the wheel to adjust the radio or grab a snack. These kinds of behaviors can reduce the level of control you have over the car, so try to avoid them.
Car Maintenance
Another one of the simplest ways you can reduce your risks of getting involved in any kind of car accident is to carry out car maintenance on a regular basis and make sure your vehicle is in good working order at all times. Mechanical issues or deflated tires won’t often be a direct cause of an accident, but they can increase the chances of these accidents happening.
There are plenty of simple ways you can keep your car in top condition. Check the tires often and make sure the pressure is correct, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, for example, as well as making sure your headlights and other car lights are all working properly if you’re planning a trip through the night.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions cause thousands of fatal accidents every single year, and in these modern times of devices and gadgets, it’s never been easier to let yourself get distracted while sitting behind the wheel. Too often, people think it’s no big deal to check their phone or send a quick text message to a friend while they drive, and many Americans admit to doing this at one time or another.
However, if you want to stay safe, your phone should not be used throughout your journey, except in hands-free mode for making calls or using safe driving apps and GPS programs. You should also avoid eating snacks or drinking drinks while driving, as well as making sure you take the time to pull over safely if you need to do anything like adjust your car radio or configure your GPS.
Dealing with Road Rage
One of the many potential causes of traffic accidents is road rage. People can sometimes see red due to the recklessness or irresponsible actions of other road users, and they become so focused on yelling at the other driver or making their anger felt that they lose focus on the road around them and make a bad decision.
Statistics show that road rage can cause all kinds of issues and simply isn’t worth it. Yes, there are bad drivers out there and it would certainly be better if they all obeyed the rules, but acting like one of them and letting yourself get mad will only make things worse, so try to keep calm and cool instead.
Final Word
With so many car accidents occurring every day, every driver has a duty to do what they can to reduce those numbers and make our roads safer for all. Keep these tips in mind the next time you take a drive to help protect yourself and others.