A motor vehicle accident can leave you injured and unable to provide for your family. Even a relatively minor collision can still be a major inconvenience.
Try these tips to help you stay safe on the road.
Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Vehicle
Keep your automobile in perfect working order helps to ensure it behaves as you expect while you’re driving. You should make sure your brake pads are replaced regularly and don’t delay your oil changes. Additionally, check for any recalls associated with your vehicle.
People often drive on tires long past when they should have been changed. Make sure to replace worn tires with new ones from a reputable brand, like Falken tires.
Adjust Your Vehicle’s Features Before You Drive
Most automobiles can be customized for your individual needs. These adjustments should be made before you begin driving to prevent distractions. Set your climate control settings. Position your mirrors to guarantee you can see your surroundings. Adjust your seat so you are comfortable but able to drive correctly.
Wear a Seatbelt
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing a seatbelt in a passenger car reduces the chance of a moderate to critical injury by about 50% and the risk of a fatal injury by 45%. Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to protect yourself in a car.
Avoid Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to see and respond to hazards, as well as affecting your judgment in other ways. If you choose to drive under the influence, you are risking your own life and that of others on the road. When you drink, make sure to arrange a ride with a rideshare service or with a designated sober driver.
Follow Traffic Laws and Speed Limits
The primary intent of traffic laws is to promote public safety on roads and highways. Among these laws, those regarding speed, traffic lights, and traffic signs are perhaps the most important. For example, speed was a factor in about a quarter of all traffic fatalities in 2019, according to National Safety Council. Driving within the speed limit decreases the risk of a serious or fatal injury if an accident does occur.
Account for Poor Conditions
When facing inclement weather and conditions, like rain, ice, smoke, and fog, you must use additional caution. Relatively safe driving habits and speeds can quickly become dangerous in these types of conditions. For example, even driving the speed limit could be dangerous on wet or icy streets. You should avoid operating a vehicle in bad weather altogether, but if you do need to venture out, reduce your speed and pay close attention to potential hazards.
Limit Distractions
Distracting activities, like using your cell phone, changing the music, and focusing on other passengers, can pull your attention from the road and lead to a car wreck. Try turning your phone off, resist making changes to your music or climate control, and ask your passengers not to distract you.
By taking common-sense steps to protect yourself on the road, you can reduce the risk of a serious or fatal injury.
