Car accidents cause millions of dollars in damages in both property loss and medical costs every year. That of course doesn’t include the epic emotional toll that comes with these collisions, as that is almost impossible to quantify. Sadly, almost all of these accidents are easily avoidable. If every driver followed a few simple rules while on the road, the number of collisions that occur each year would be drastically reduced.
The good news is that this means it is not difficult to avoid becoming a statistic. There are a few basic principles that every motorist needs to keep in mind when they are behind the wheel.
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Don’t Multitask
Our lives are filled with responsibilities and sometimes there are simply aren’t enough hours in the day. Many of us are so rushed and stressed that every minute counts. It can be tempting to accomplish some of our chores, tasks, or what-have-you when we are driving our cars. Well, the ability to multi-task might serve you well at work or at home, but it will only imperil you and you fellow motorists while you are driving.
Operating an automobile is something that requires our complete attention. Taking your eyes off the road, if only for a second, can lead to disaster. This means don’t try to eat when driving, stay off your phone (unless it’s a hands-free model), don’t try to put on make-up, shave, style your hair – anything that can distract from the road. There is simply too much at stake. This is non-negotiable. Focus on the road and stay safe.
Don’t Tailgate
Sometimes as we zip down the road we encounter another car that simply isn’t going as fast as we would like it to. So some of us react by getting very close to the vehicle’s bumper in an effort to “push” the car along. You know, as a method of encouraging the driver in front of us to speed up a bit. If this is a tactic you like to employ, you need to change your driving style. When you ride close to another car’s rear bumper, you simply don’t have time to come to a complete stop if the driver in front of you hits the brakes. This is especially true when you are motoring down the highway, traveling at speeds in excess of sixty miles-per-hour. There needs to be an adequate space cushion between your vehicle and the one in front of you. By tailgating you are removing this cushion and helping to cause a rear-end collision.
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Be Aware Of What’s Happening Around You
This could be referred to as “situational awareness.” The road is an ever-changing landscape with dangers constantly hurtling towards us. Hazards can literally appear in an instant and the only way to adequately prepare for such perils is to constantly monitor what’s going on around you. You need to have a 360-degree vision of what surrounds your auto. This can be accomplished by constantly checking your mirrors. A general rule is to check your mirrors once every six seconds while driving.
Also, always remember to check your blind spot when merging into another lane. Another vehicle can “hide” where your car’s mirrors can’t see them, and the only way to know when it is safe to change lanes is to glance over your shoulder at this blind spot. Refer to your mirrors and check your blind spot – do this and you will have an accurate picture what’s around you and more importantly, what to avoid when it matters the most.
Don’t Exceed The Speed Limit
Speed limits exist for a reason and it’s more than simply an excuse for a traffic officer to issue you a citation. Speed limits indicate the limit at which we can safely drive down a particular street. Exceed this limit and you are putting yourself at risk. The faster you drive the more you decrease your reaction time. Speeding diminishes our ability to avoid dangers and increases the likelihood of getting into an accident. Simply put, slow down and give yourself a chance to stop or swerve around a car or similar obstacle.
In fact, this rule should apply to all traffic laws. Follow them. Break the law and you risk more than potentially receiving a ticket and fine – you are putting your safety in jeopardy.
It is impossible to control the behavior of other drivers on the roadways. There will always be some inattentive driver who puts himself and others in danger. But what you can control is your own driving behavior. Follow the advice above and you will be able to compensate for the mistakes made by other motorists. This will allow you to avoid getting into an accident, which in turn helps keep auto insurance premiums down for us all. And more importantly, it will allow you and your family to reach your destination safely.
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