Driving is not an easy job. It takes a lot of concentration and attention to be able to get behind the wheel, but even more so it requires you to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whether you are driving during the day or night, there are certain precautions that one must make to remain safe on the road. This article will touch on some of the most important road safety tips to remember so that you are not involved in a car accident.
Eliminate Distraction
For many people, the distraction of a cell phone is an everyday reality. Texting and talking behind the wheel has become a daily habit for many people in today’s society, but this has led to more accidents than one would think. Distraction was responsible for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities in North Carolina last year. As further stated by an experienced Raleigh auto accident attorney, over 70% of drivers use their phones while driving while only 38% believe it is unsafe. The best thing that you can do when it comes to avoiding being involved in a car crash is to put your cell phone away until you have reached your destination or stopped at a safe place along the side of the road.
Keep Your Distance
One of the most important road safety tips when it comes to avoiding accidents is allowing enough distance between your car and the one in front of you. Many times we get caught up in traffic and try our best just to inch forward to get out of the traffic jam. However, this is one of the most dangerous things that you can do while on the road because it puts you in a position where your car can easily be hit from behind and cause serious injuries or even worse – death. The best thing that you can do for yourself during heavy traffic times like these is to allow at least 4-5 seconds between you and the car in front of you.
Be Patient While Driving
One of the most common causes of car accidents is where one person tries to force another car off the road. It’s very common for drivers to come into contact with other vehicles when they try swerving into traffic without giving enough time or room for other cars to maneuver out of their way. This is why it’s important to make sure that you always leave yourself an escape route, don’t tailgate anyone, and if someone forces you over do not retaliate by doing the same. Instead, make your lane as wide as possible so even if he tries forcing his way back into your lane you have the room to react.
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
You must know your surroundings because it’ll allow you to be more aware of possible dangers. For instance, if you’re driving at night and don’t have your lights on, a car approaching from behind will not be able to see where they are going as easily so avoid being blinded by their headlights. Also, try avoiding other distractions such as loud music or talking with friends in the car so that all of your senses are focused on the road ahead. Be considerate of others while they are driving too because even though they may look like they aren’t paying attention they may still see the danger coming before you do.
Drive Defensively Instead Of Aggressively
At all times you should be thinking ahead and watching for anything that could cause a collision. For instance, if the light is about to turn yellow then slow down so that way you have more time to brake just in case someone runs through it. Don’t drive aggressively by tailgating people or accelerating quickly causing others to think you are trying to race them. You can avoid accidents by being patient and respecting other drivers on the road because everyone wants the same thing: get from A to B without any trouble.
Remove Yourself From The Situation
If you are in a situation where someone is driving erratically and endangering the lives of everyone around them, your best bet would be to leave that area and continue on your way. If you can’t, ask them politely to calm down and stop their erratic behavior. However, if they refuse to do so it may be time for you to find an alternate route or remove yourself from the situation entirely. You may do this by calling the police if the situation is serious and someone’s continued actions put your life in danger. Also, if someone is tailgating you, flashing their high beams, or dangerously swaying out of their lane it may be best to leave the area as soon as you can.
All of these tips must be followed for their full potential to be achieved so try your best at remembering them while you’re behind the wheel. If something does happen where a car accident does occur, then make sure to call the police and your car accident lawyer or auto accident attorney as soon as you can so you can ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and others. Contacting an auto accident attorney right away can help you receive compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained, including economic and non-economic damages.