With an estimated 230,590,000 licensed drivers on the road in 2020, car accidents will happen. The roadways get crowded and you cannot control other drivers.
Still, you can do your part to reduce the risk of fatal car accidents. Read on for 5 tips on how to contribute to making the road a safer place to be for drivers and passengers alike.
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Buckle Up
Seat belts save lives, reducing the risk of death by 45% according to the CDC.
You should buckle yourself up and insist that everybody else in the car does the same. Without them, front passengers get thrown through the windshield in high-speed crashes.
People in the back actually pose a separate risk to front passengers. They can get propelled forward into the back of the seat, creating a potentially fatal impact.
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Drive With the Flow of Traffic
Speed limits stop you from exceeding a safe speed for that specific area. Speeding makes an accident more likely as you can lose control of the vehicle or lose the ability to stop in time.
Higher speeds also make fatalities more likely during an accident. As the speed increases, so does the force of impact. Remember, you will not get to your destination at all when injured or killed.
Driving too slow also creates a dangerous situation, as other drivers whip by or come up quickly onto your tail. This does not always mean you should drive the exact speed limit.
Certain conditions, like construction, traffic jams, or bad weather, may force the traffic to speed down. To prevent a fatal car accident, keep up with the flow of traffic and never exceed the speed limit.
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Don’t Drive Distracted
Taking your attention off the road for even a split second can lead to a serious accident. Driving already requires you to multitask, as you watch your speed, mirrors, and the road in front of you.
Do not use your cell phone while driving. Turn it off or put it away in the glove box where it will not tempt you.
Ask passengers not to call your attention to other things. If a child needs your immediate attention, pull over to help them.
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Practice Defensive Driving
Do not think of driving as a competition or race. If you notice somebody driving erratically, yield to them and get out of the way.
Blocking them from passing you can cause a bad accident. Staying out of the passing lane except when completely necessary may limit your encounter with this type of driver on the highway.
Take a defensive driving course to learn how to spot dangers and drive defensively. It will also lower your car insurance!
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Always Drive Sober
Driving under the influence impairs your judgment and coordination. Fatal car accidents with alcohol or drugs also lead to serious legal repercussions.
Don’t risk it. Never drive after drinking alcohol, taking illicit drugs, or after taking medications that may cloud your thinking.
Avoid Fatal Car Accidents with Safe Driving
Even the best drivers on the road cannot stop some crashes from happening. However, you can limit the chances of fatal car accidents by practicing these safe driving habits.
Are you looking for more driving tips? Find them on the automotive page of our website!
Feature Photo by Joey Kyber
