Car accidents are a cause of concern in today’s society. It doesn’t matter how many safety devices today’s cars are equipped with; a bad or inexperienced driver who breaks traffic rules is going to put themself and others at risk.
Victims of car accidents find themselves facing many difficulties. They can be financial, physical, or emotional. Whatever the loss is, victims should contact the attorneys at The Flood Law Firm or other reputable firms to find out how they can seek compensation.
Citizens should think about taking measures to prevent accidents rather than plan about coping with their effects. This article does its bit by listing 5 essential tips that car drivers can follow to avoid accidents.
1. Avoid using smartphones
Yes, a smartphone is useful, but it has its downsides as well. The urge of some people to check every single notification is greater than the care they show for themself and others around them.
Car accidents caused by smartphone usage fall under the category of distracted driving. There are reports that say that smartphone usage is responsible for approximately 390,000 injuries each year. No wonder 47 out of 50 states have made it illegal to text while driving.
So, the next time you get a call or have the urge to check your phone, be a smart driver and stop your vehicle to do so.
2. Focus on the road
This is partly related to distracted driving, but smartphone usage is so problematic that it deserves special mention.
A car driver’s entire focus should be on the road. In addition to smartphones, the following elements might distract a car driver:
- Conversations with co-passengers
- Playing with kids or pets
- Multitasking (eating or styling hair)
- Giving too much attention to entertainment or GPS devices
- Daydreaming or constant worrying
- Looking at billboards
- Rubberneck an accident
- Staring at scenery or other cars
All these have the potential to lead to car accidents. It is the driver’s responsibility to concentrate on driving or stop the vehicle in a safe spot if they feel they’re getting distracted.
3. Hire a cab if you’re drunk
Actually, this is more common sense than a tip. Yet many people do it.
A statistic from the NHTSA states that a person loses their life every 39 minutes due to drunk driving. This scary statistic shows how much the average US citizen values others’ lives.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) determines how much alcohol a person has in their blood. It is illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC of over.08.
A good way to avoid drunk driving accidents would be to hire a cab. There are numerous ridesharing services one can take advantage of. If you’re going out as a group, it helps to have a designated driver who stays sober to drive the group members home.
4. Run regular maintenance checks
Cars need maintenance, too, at regular intervals. We’re not talking just about wheel changes. Every part of the car must be checked periodically. Here’s a list to get you started.
- Oil changes: Every 3000 – 7000 miles
- Filters: Every 9,300 – 18,000 miles
- Heating, cooling, safety, suspension, and general checks: Before hitting 60,000 miles
Proper car maintenance will help prevent issues from popping up later. The last thing you’d want is for a brake pad to fail when you’re doing 70 on the freeway. Maintain your car in good condition, and it will serve you for many years. Regular maintenance will also help you get a good price when you’re selling it.
5. Remember the right of way rules
It pays to give an ounce of thought to right of way rules. They are framed with the intention of helping motorists reach their destinations safely. Although no motorist has the right of way, they have the right to yield or give up their right of way in certain situations.
Some situations where car drivers are expected to yield to other motorists include:
- At a yield sign
- Pedestrians in a crosswalk
- To people using a seeing-eye guide dog
- When turning left
- At uncontrolled intersections where vehicles are already present
Conclusion
You just read 5 tips that you, as a car driver, must follow to avoid car accidents. Following them will go a long way toward making the US roads a safer place to drive.
