10 Effective Ways to Avoid Accidents

Defensive driving is the best way to stay safe behind the wheel. Accidents are no joke and can even be fatal. Staying safe while driving is extremely important and we can lose track of that when we talk on our phones or even eat behind the wheel. We have hashed out the 10 most effective ways to avoid accidents and injury:

1. DO NOT Drive Impaired

Driving impaired is the easiest way to get into an accident. Alcohol or any type of illegal substance inhibits your ability to drive properly. With slowed reaction times and skewed judgment, a car accident is just waiting to happen. Do yourself a favor and avoid getting behind the wheel under any circumstances while under the influence.

2. Avoid Driving in Bad Weather

Poor weather can also be a hazard to driving conditions. Heavy rains and snow make the roads slick and hinders visibility. Try to avoid driving in bad weather because you put yourself – as well as others on the road – at risk. Car accidents are much more likely to occur in these conditions, so its best to avoid them when possible.

3. Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is another vital aspect of your car that needs attention to make sure you’re in a safe driving environment. If tire pressure is too high, less of your wheels will be touching the ground, which causes the car to hop and decreases stopping ability. On the flip side, tire pressure that is too low causes more of the tire to touch the ground. This presents a whole other mess of problems including – rapid wear, overheated tires, and even severe tire damage. Making sure your tires are at the right specs for your car will save you trouble in the long run.

4. Slow Down

Speed limits are enforced for a reason – your safety. Some roads can be safely traveled on at higher speeds than others, but the speed limits account for that. Excessive speeds can cause extremely bad accidents. The faster you go the more room you need to stop.

5. Don’t Drive When Tired

Tired driving is almost as bad as impaired driving. Getting behind the wheel when you’re tired has some of the same effects too. Delayed reaction time and the inability to properly focus are some of the symptoms of driving while tired. Also, if you actually fall asleep behind the wheel you can seriously hurt yourself and others.

6. Stay Off of Cell Phones

Distracted driving is another easy way to end up in the shop with repairs from an accident. Talking on the phone, sending texts, and reading emails are all ways that you may end up injured with a hefty repair bill to boot. Keep the phone in your pocket and your eyes on the road.

7. Use Your Turn Signal

Turn signals are the best way to let people know your intentions on the road. Without signaling, how will others know where you are trying to go? Signaling to other cars also gives adequate time for cars to either slow down or continue past you to get out of the way.

8. Let People Pass You

This is another huge safety tip. Letting people pass you is one of the safest things you can do. If someone feels the need to pass you – let them. There is no reason to try and block them from passing you. The last thing you need is someone with a case of road rage trying to run you off the road.

9. Always Wear Your Seatbelt

Seatbelts are not only safe, but in many states they are the law. Seatbelts – in the event of an accident – don’t prevent the accident from happening, but they will save your life.

10. Maintain a Safe Driving Distance

Safe driving distances help you react better in emergencies. When you need to make a sudden stop, the more space between you and all other cars on the road, the better. At higher speeds it takes much longer to come to a stop and if you break suddenly, your car can skid. Maintain a safe distance and you will have less worries in an emergency.