When navigating the roads and highways across the country, it’s worth remembering that millions of fender benders occur every year.
Unfortunately, you can be the most careful motorist in the world and still find yourself at an accident scene — waiting for the police to show up to get the particulars and write a report.
Not everyone obeys the rules of the road. And some forget that driving is a privilege rather than a right.
When vehicular carnage occurs, there can be property damage, personal injuries, and even deaths. There’s no way to eliminate the risk of accidents, whether you’re a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce your risk profile.
Continue reading to learn about five things you can do to be a safer driver. This can help to keep yourself and others safer so you can steer clear of accidents that would require you to contact the police, visit a doctor, and call a car accident lawyer.
1. Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nine people in the U.S. die every day in collisions involving distracted motorists.
Let that dire statistic sink in — especially since the carnage is easily avoidable. When operating a motor vehicle, you should focus on just that. It’s not the time to eat breakfast, send text messages, talk on the phone, or do anything else. Focus on driving when behind the wheel.
Taking your eyes off the road is like tempting fate. You don’t want to gamble with your life or anyone else’s, for that matter. Remember that driving is a privilege, and it can be taken away if you violate the rules of the road and make things unsafe.
2. Follow the Speed Limit
Adhering to the speed limit is also one way to reduce your odds of getting into accidents. The posted speed limit is there for a reason. But one thing to consider is that the posted speed limit is the maximum speed under ideal driving conditions. If the weather is unfavorable or the road conditions are compromised, you should drive below the speed limit.
Driving too fast will lessen reaction time, make it harder to implement evasive maneuvers, and increase the odds of accidents.
3. Maintain a Safe Following Distance
You should also maintain a safe driving distance. If you have the habit of traveling too closely behind other vehicles, that’ll make the roads less safe. Maintain several car lengths between your car and the vehicle ahead of you. If someone is tailgating you, change lanes if it’s safe to do so.
4. Obey Traffic Signals and Signs
Respect the rules of the road by obeying traffic signals and signs. You’ll make the roads and highways unsafe if you run red lights, fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, and otherwise play loosey-goosey with the rules.
5. Use Turn Signals
Use your turn signals. Doing so will signal to other drivers your intentions and help them make the right decisions. Remember that some drivers might travel too close behind you and, by so doing, reduce their ability to react if you make a sudden move to turn.
You can do your part to make the roads safer by using your turn signals when changing lanes or making turns.
Keeping the roads safe is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s a duty to take seriously. While there’s no way to guarantee zero accidents, doing the right things and respecting other drivers can ensure you’re part of the solution rather than part of the problem.