No matter how long you have been driving a car, everyone can use a refresher on safety tips every now and then to avoid a car accident. Whether you are a new or experienced driver, take a look at these tips and ask yourself if you could stand to slow down or follow at a little greater of a distance.
Drive More Safely with These Tips
We all know we shouldn’t exceed the speed limit, but when conditions present greater dangers on our roads, slow down and use more caution. If it’s raining, foggy, snowing, crowded, etc., slow down to a safe speed to give yourself some added time to react safely.
Even when conditions are optimal for driving, though, following too closely or tailgating increases the risk of a rear-end accident. It can be difficult to predict when another driver will hit the brakes suddenly, and if you don’t give yourself enough room to hit yours safely, you could slam into the car in front of you. And remember, tailgating won’t get you where you’re going any faster.
A third tip for driving safely is being an alert driver. Stay aware of other drivers, and constantly check for pedestrians and other unexpected events that could present a dangerous situation.
Your turn signals are there for a reason, so use them! Other drivers (and pedestrians for that matter) can’t read your mind, and they don’t know your intentions, so make sure you let them know when you plan to turn or change lanes so they can adjust accordingly.
Also be sure that you are being a courteous driver. Don’t tailgate or intimidate slower drivers, but if you are driving more slowly, allow those traveling faster to pass. What’s more, allow others to change lanes safely by giving them enough room.
Finally, before getting behind the wheel, make sure you are fit to do so. This not only means that you are not impaired by drugs or alcohol, but also that you are not overly fatigued or in a very emotional state of mind.
Driving safely could help you and others avoid becoming the victim of a car accident. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, in the year 2010 there were 315,377 accidents; 1,119 of them were fatal, and 134,151 caused non-fatal personal injury.
If you are injured in an auto accident, contact an attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates at 1-800-246-HURT (4878) to review your car accident claim and go over any damages you have experienced.
