According to many researches and statistics traveling in a car is one of most dangerous means of transportation. However, there are some things in our power which we can use to lower the risk of an accident.
1. Keep your car in good working condition
If you don’t maintain your car and you don’t pay attention to most basic components like brakes, you increase your chances for an accident drastically.
Thousands of accidents happen around the world due to part failure or malfunction, which could otherwise be prevented by regular service.
Maintenance service can be expensive, but safety always has to be on the first place. It’s just not smart to save money on something you and your family use every day.
So basic services like oil change, brake check and pads replacement, as well as other services should be the first step to improve your family’s safety on the road.
2. Don’t use cell phone or any other gadget
There is no doubt about it, cell phones can potentially cause accidents and there are even laws against their use in traffic. Hands free kits might seem like a good solution but they also might pose a distraction. Whether your hands are free or not you have to pay attention to the road and to conversation, as we all know humans are not very good at doing two things at once.
One other thing that almost every car possesses nowadays and that also might pose distraction is GPS system. They really are essential, but as many other devices and gadgets, they are not 100% accurate. If you have problem with address or any other issue, stop your car and deal with it, don’t jeopardize safety of your family, or for that matter, everyone else’s.
3. Pay attention to road conditions
Carelessness is often one of the culprits when it comes to the road accidents. People tend to lose concentration, especially on the longer trips and they don’t pay attention to road conditions.
Even light rain can affect vehicle handling, needless to say that worse conditions can drastically increase the risks of accident. If it’s raining heavily, you have to be prepared for aquaplaning, and you have to decrease the speed.
If you find yourself in a that situation don’t panic and make sudden movements with steering wheel, try to do your best to keep the car stable. In winter, always expect slippery roads and slow down. Lower speed means less damage in case something happens.
4. Don’t drive stressed
Stress is a part of everyday life in the modern world and all of us battle it our own way. However, as everyone can witness, people are often stressed in traffic and that brings many other issues. You won’t be able to concentrate on the road, you’ll most probably speed, which could cost you money and points on your license or even worse, it can cause you to crash.
None of us can actually think clearly when we’re stressed, so the best thing would be not to sit behind the wheel. Since there is no fast relief for it, find some time for yourself to do your favorite things and get rid of the stress and all the bad things that come with it.
5. Anticipate your next move
As you might have heard from professional drivers, as well as from other experienced drivers, best thing you can do is to look far in front of you. Now, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay attention to things that happen right in front of you, it just means that if you see a car braking 200 ft in front, you’ll have more time to react.
Also, always keep your distance so you have enough room to stop in case something unplanned happens. Pair this tip with an adequate speed and level of concentration, and you’ve lowered your chances for an accident already. Keep in mind that none of the things on a list will make a huge difference by itself, it’s all of them combined.
6. Follow all the basic rules
As crazy as this sounds, many drivers forgot many basic things when it comes to driving, and we ended up with lot of careless drivers who don’t use their turn signals, follow speed limits, signs, or any other laws.
Don’t let yourself be one of those drivers because you might jeopardize your own safety and safety of your family and others. Always make sure that all car occupants wear seat belt regardless of age. All of other things are solely on you.
Pay attention to road signs, they are there for a reason. Use your turn signals, if you need motivation, just picture yourself behind careless driver. Always follow the speed limit, you’ll save money on tickets and most important, you’ll keep everyone in car safe, as well as other drivers.
