10 Car Accident Prevention Tips
10 Car Accident Prevention Tips
The seasons have started to change from summer to fall in Pennsylvania, and that means winter, and all of the snow, sleet, and ice that comes with it, are just around the corner. Unfortunately, the inclement weather that the winter months bring usually means that there will be an increase in the number of car accidents that occur in your area. As the chance of car accidents increases, it is even more important that you stay safe while on the road. You can use the following safety tips to help prevent collisions with other drivers and protect yourself and your passengers from sustaining serious or even fatal injuries.
Avoid Distractions
Today, distracted driving accounts for approximately 25 % of all car accident fatalities in the United States. Moreover, research shows that it only takes 3 seconds after a driver’s attention has been diverted from the road to cause an accident. To decrease your odds of getting into a car accident, avoid multitasking while driving. This includes refraining from eating or drinking, reaching for objects inside the care, and using your cellphone to call, text, email, and post on social media while behind the wheel.
Plan Ahead
This tip may seem like common sense, but planning your drive in advance can help to reduce the stress and anxiety you experience while driving and can keep you focused on the task at hand: driving. Consequently, consider the route you plan to take before you get in the car and always allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
Perform Routine Maintenance on your Car
If your car malfunctions while you are driving, there is a likelihood that the malfunction may cause you to be involved in a crash. This is precisely why Pennsylvania law requires most vehicles to undergo an annual safety inspection. To help prevent your car from malfunctioning while driving, always ensure that your vehicle has an up to date inspection, always perform a basic maintenance check on your vehicle before you drive it, and always take the appropriate measures to make any necessary repairs to your vehicle.
Do Not Drive Under The Influence
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 29 people in the United States die each day in car accidents that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that both legal and illegal drugs are involved in about 16 % of all car accidents that occur in the United States. Thus, refrain from using drugs or alcohol both before and while you are driving to lessen your chances of being involved in a crash.
Never Drive While Tired
Fatigue can reduce awareness, slow reaction times, and can impair judgment, all of which can increase your chances of being involved in a collision. Consequently, it is important that you are well-rested before you endeavor to get behind the wheel.
Do Not Speed
Many accidents occur because drivers fail to adhere to speed limits, and, as a result, they lose control of their vehicle. Follow mandated speed limits to avoid being involved in a car accident.
Adjust your Driving Practices in Inclement Weather
\When it is raining or snowing, drivers sometimes fail to consider that they must take additional measures to ensure they are driving safely. To prevent accidents when faced with poor weather conditions, consider adjusting your speed, the distance between your car and other cars on the road, and your braking practices.
Drive Defensively
Practicing defensive driving helps you to be aware of your environment and other drivers on the road so that you can assess potential hazards and avoid collisions. Defensive driving tips include always having an escape route in case you encounter a hazard on the road,
scanning for other drivers on the road and keeping abreast of their proximity to you, following other vehicles at a safe distance, and looking ahead to determine if there are any potential hazards, i.e. car accidents, road construction, traffic jams.
Be Aware of Blind Spots
Most vehicles have blind spots. However, it is when we are not aware of where our blind spots located that accidents occur. To better prevent collision with other vehicles, check for potential blind spots before you begin to drive the vehicle and take extra caution to look for vehicles that may be in your blind spots when changing lanes.
Use Turn Signals Appropriately
A common cause of car accidents is when drivers fail to properly signal before or while they are changing lanes. To avoid these types of accidents, always ensure that you turn on your turn signal before changing lanes or parallel parking to warn drivers around you stop, slow down, or move out of your way.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys Today
While we hope that these tips prove useful to you in avoiding car accidents, sometimes being involved in a car accident is unavoidable. If you were injured in a car accident, find out about your legal options. Contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese, LLC to discuss your case now. Remember, you will owe no attorney’s fee unless we are successful.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.