Sometimes car accidents are unpredictable. While you’re practicing safe techniques, others drive recklessly. There could also be some external factor that causes a mishap. However, most car accidents are the result of a few distinct and statistically significant mistakes. Though you cannot control the things and people around you, you can do your part to ensure you do not hurt yourself or anyone while behind the wheel with careless decisions.
Regardless of how long you’ve had a license, you should consistently ensure you are obeying laws and taking extra precautions. With safe driving habits in mind (and in practice), you are much less likely to find yourself in the physical, financial, mental and legal harm that can follow a major accident.
Here, we outline some ways to stay safe on the road.
Head Towards Your Destination Ahead of Schedule
When you are running late, you tend to rush. Rushed, frantic driving against the clock is a recipe for disaster that causes you to disregard speed limits, prevents you from considering all safety precautions and, ultimately, puts you at greater risk of an accident. Aggressive drivers are known road hazards, so it is best to limit the stressors that put you in this state.
To avoid the panic that comes with the fear of being late, always leave your house ahead of schedule. Allotting more time than it takes to reach your destination allows you to drive slower, safer and with more caution. It also provides additional room for any unexpected situations that could arise (e.g., road blockage, construction, accident, etc.) so that you can still arrive on time.
Limit Night Driving as Much as Possible
Even if you have the most impeccable eyesight, driving at nighttime is trickier than driving in the light of day. Low lighting on roads can make it hard to see obstacles, headlights can be blinding, obstacles can seemingly come out of nowhere and fatigue can add an additional layer of danger.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers are three times more likely to have a fatal accident at night than during the day. If you must drive at night, ensure your headlights are working and angled properly, you are wide-awake and you are driving slowly enough to react to unexpected situations, such as wildlife running onto the road.
Stay Off Your Phone
You know the dangers of driving while distracted, yet you still do it yourself or see others doing it. Texting while driving is illegal in Australia, costing anyone who touches a phone whilst driving a $1,000 fine and four demerit points in some jurisdictions. Even with this law in place, reckless drivers continue to text, browse social media or access the internet whilst operating a vehicle.
One of the simplest and most important safe driving tips is to stay off your phone. If you need to use your phone, pull over rather than putting lives at stake. You can start a music playlist or podcast beforehand or use voice controls to adjust entertainment. If you have a smart phone that you are tempted to use whilst driving, you likely also have voice controls that can keep your hands off your device until you are safely parked.
Keep a Safe Distance and Follow the Speed Limit
Despite how impressive a reaction time you have, not leaving enough distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you on the road is a risky move. It is always better to be too cautious than not cautious enough, especially when driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that almost 30 percent of serious injury-causing traffic accidents are the result of rear-end collisions.
Organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC) suggest the “three-second rule,” which involves keeping three seconds worth of space between your motor vehicle and the one in front of you. This is the minimum amount of distance you should create and applies to normal weather circumstances. If, for instance, it was pouring rain, ensuring there is even more distance can prevent you from hydroplaning into another vehicle.
Why risk an accident when you could simply stay further behind? If you do find yourself injured in a car accident, contact Car Accident Lawyers Perth to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your motor vehicle accident injury compensation claim.
Get Regular Car Maintenance
You can’t expect your car to keep you safe if you never care for it. Regardless of how experienced and cautious of a driver you are, no driver is safe in an unsafe vehicle. Regular maintenance is essential to getting the best use of your vehicle and prevents accidents that are a result of faulty parts.
Some important parts of the vehicle to properly maintain include the lights, windshield, mirrors, tyres, brakes, ignition systems, oil and emission control systems. With a well-cared for car and the other precautions under your belt, you are much more likely to stay safe on the road.
Please belt up and drive safely to help you to avoid being injured or worse in a car accident.
Read more: Types of Automobile Insurance Coverage
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