8 Ways to Avoid Car Accidents
We notice it every time we get in our cars to run even a short errand—increased traffic and impatient drivers everywhere we go. Car accidents are nerve-racking and painful, not to mention expensive, inconvenient, and they take a lot of time to resolve.
It makes sense that safety should be every driver’s priority when behind the wheel. With the number of accidents on the rise, regardless of widespread road safety advice, a good way to combat what feels like the inevitable car crash is with the actions and attitudes of individual drivers.
Here are some common sense ways to avoid car accidents:
Pay attention to your surroundings
While it’s critical to keep your eyes and attention on the road ahead of you, try to be more aware of what’s going on around you as you drive. We’ve all seen drivers suddenly swerve or change lanes unexpectedly. Take a few seconds to scan the entire intersection as you approach and watch for someone to run that red light, and watch for a pedestrian or an animal to step into your car’s path. Remember, everyone has confidence in their own ability to drive safely, but the same might not be true for those around you.
Familiarize yourself with your vehicle
Whether you’re driving your own or someone else’s car, take time to learn where all the controls are located. Learn how your vehicle responds to sudden braking. Regularly check your tires’ tread depth and make sure you know how your tires handle wet roads and poor driving conditions. Knowing how your car performs in all situations can help you avoid car accidents.
Limit distractions
Most states have laws prohibiting the use of cell phones or other hand-held devices while driving. Fortunately, most new vehicles these days can integrate with bluetooth devices to assure hands-free use of cell phones—but NEVER text and drive! The risk is simply too great, both for your safety and for getting a citation. Consider installing an app on your cell phone for automatic responses to calls or texts indicating that you’re driving or unavailable and that you will respond at a more appropriate time. Let your cell phone become a tool to fight distracted driving, rather than contribute to it. Cell phones, however, are not the only risk for distracted driving. If children are fighting or screaming, pull over and park safely in order to resolve the issue. And remember to safely secure all pet passengers so that they will not distract the driver. It’s best to avoid any activity that takes your attention off driving, even if only for a second or two.
Be aware of your emotions
Face it—we are emotional creatures. Driving while upset, distressed, angry, or even anxious about being late to pick your kids up from school, can lead to problems. Drivers in a highly emotional state may drive in a more aggressive manner, may follow too closely, and may adhere less to traffic laws and rules. Remember, you’re not late until you arrive. Focus on your driving and not what you’ve planned to do when you arrive at your destination.
Do not drive under the influence of substances
One of the leading causes of car accidents is driving under the influence of substances—drugs, alcohol, or prescribed medications, all of which can affect awareness and cognition, as well as the ability to drive. Getting a DWI or DUI not only could endanger your life or someone else’s, it will also be expensive and long-lasting. Avoid alcohol, drugs, or any medication that impairs your ability to drive before you put your car into gear. Consider calling a taxi or a ride-share service.
Beware of blind spots
With the advent of modern safety features, from backup cameras to perimeter sensors and crash avoidance technology, drivers may feel less inclined to be safety conscious. After all, can’t the vehicle take over that responsibility for us now? The answer is NO! Though we hope they never fail, they certainly can. Be prepared, and be aware of blind spots. Adjust your side-view and rear-view mirrors to be certain you can see all areas around your vehicle. Learn to turn and check for vehicles in your blind spots too, and remember that tractor-trailers have large blind spots, so always assume the driver cannot see you and then avoid being in his blind spot.
Become a defensive driver
Certain behaviors, like reckless driving or weaving in and out of traffic, can cause car accidents. Safe driving requires a balance of attention, speed, and awareness. Pay attention. Don’t follow too closely and stay in your lane. Signal your intentions. Avoid tailgating, and always look before changing lanes.
Be visible
There is a reason that muscle cars are most always painted bright colors and school buses are bright yellow. Both types of vehicles need to be seen, but there is a difference between being seen and being noticed. We notice the muscle cars because they’re cool, but we need to see school buses for the safety of our children. Consider the color of the car you purchase. Do you want to blend into the street in your silver car, or do you want to be seen by other drivers?
While these tips will help you avoid car accidents, other drivers may not practice these principles. Inevitably, a time may come that you successfully avoid the accident in front of you, but what about the distracted driver behind you?
Avoiding a rear-end accident with Impulse
Impulse might be the perfect technology for helping you avoid an accident.
We’ve all slammed on the brakes and checked the rear view mirror, hoping the car behind us stops in time. A great way to make your vehicle more visible in those conditions is to use aftermarket tech that senses hard braking and alerts the driver behind you with powerful LEDs.