Six Tips to Avoid Car Accidents

Car accidents are common. Millions of people around the world lose their lives to car accidents every year. Auto accidents are caused by several things, including reckless driving, bad weather, and environmental conditions.

While you may not be able to avoid car accidents, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of causing one.

When you are involved in a car accident because of another driver’s carelessness, you should be compensated for the damages caused. If you are involved in a car accident in Birmingham and you want to file an injury claim, consult with a car accident lawyer in Birmingham. He or she will offer the best services because they understand the dynamics of their locality.

To keep the road safe for all of us, below are tips every driver should practice.

How to Avoid Car Accidents

1. Limit Distractions

When you are behind the wheel, give the road 100 percent of your concentration. Avoid using your phone, switching radio stations, fiddling with the GPS, and anything else that takes your attention from the road. It takes just one second of distraction while behind the wheel for your life to change forever.

If the call is an emergency or your GPS is misbehaving, kindly pull over. Ensure that you have at least one hand on the wheel for control

2. Defensive Driving

Here’s a secret: You are the only sane driver on the road. Yes, you might be very careful and adhere to all traffic regulations, and yet still get hit because you did not foresee possible accidents.

Defensive driving means scanning not just in front, but also behind you and both sides of the road. Beware of blind spots, turning trucks, and reckless drivers. Avoid them even if it means slowing down or pulling over to let them pass.

3. Watch Out for Children and Pets

Children and pets have a habit of popping in front of or behind your car when you least expect it. If you have parked, check the area for children and pets.

If you are driving in a residential area, a playground, or a school, slow down and be very careful not to hit a crossing child.

4. Limit or Avoid Nighttime Driving

Most accidents happen at night. This is because of reduced visibility and more drunk and reckless drivers.If you must be on the road at night be careful, drive the speed limit, and watch out for drunk drivers.

5. Do Not Drink and Drive

Having mentioned drunk drivers above, do not drink and drive. Most fatal car accidents are caused by drunk driving. If you get involved in an accident because you were drunk, it is no longer an accident, but instead a choice. This is because you can decide not to drink and drive.

If you are out with friends, a taxi will save your lives.

6. Maintain Safe Speed and Distance

Speeding vehicles are difficult to control. You can reduce the risk of car accidents by maintaining a safe and constant speed. It doesn’t matter where you are rushing to, keep safe speed and distance. You do not want to hit the car in front of you because you applied emergency brakes.

Also, avoid the fast lane if you can. Drivers in this lane frequently go too fast. They rarely get away from dangerous situations.

Take Charge of Your Safety 

As they say, you are the only sane driver on the road. Look out for pedestrians, children, cyclists, and fellow drivers. Avoid speeding and drunk driving because these are some of the causes of vehicle accidents that can be avoided.

Lastly, ensure that your car is insured in case the worst happens to you on the road.