Cars are now safer than they have ever been before. We have the tools and technology to make accidents much less common and fatal.
Unfortunately, the number of automobile accidents and deaths nationwide remains relatively high.
Although improvements in technology will undoubtedly help bring those numbers down over time. The bottom line remains that the vast majority of automobile accidents result from driver error.
The best way for anyone to reduce their chances of becoming involved in an accident is to practice safe driving habits.
If you practice safe driving, there’s also a higher chance of getting a better deal if you value your car.
Whether one is just beginning to learn how to drive. They have been doing so for many years, learning some safe driving tips will always do more good than harm.
1- Don’t Drive Drunk
Alcohol is responsible for more than 30% of all fatal car crashes in the U.S. If these drivers had not driven after drinking, they would likely be alive today.
Drinking too much alcohol can affect your ability to drive safely. Even small amounts of alcohol reduce your reaction time and hand-eye coordination. People who are used to drinking think that they won’t be affected, but even people with higher tolerance aren’t immune to the effects of alcohol.
The adverse effects of drinking alcohol increase as your BAC increases until you reach a level where you lose consciousness. So, think again if you’re planning on drinking heavily before driving home.
Driving drunk is one of the most dangerous things you can do because it puts you and others at risk of fatal injury. If you’ve had too much alcohol, ask a friend or family member to pick you up or call a taxi.
You’ll feel better if you take precautions before getting behind the wheel; otherwise, you could face serious legal consequences, life-changing injuries, or worse.
Driving safely has many other advantages, such as allowing you to sell any car quickly because of its pristine history record.
2- Don’t Speed
For every kilometer you travel at high speed, there’s an increased chance of an accident occurring. Speeding is one of the leading causes of road accidents and results in numerous deaths every year.
We’ve all heard the famous saying, “Speed kills”. Crashes caused by speeding have an estimated cost of around $40 billion yearly. In fact, 31% of all fatal car accidents are caused by speeding.
We usually think that speeding will make up for lost time or get us to our destination significantly faster when in reality, all we’re doing is endangering our lives and the lives of others.
Driving 10MPH faster will only save you a couple of minutes in return for increasing your risk of crashing by 50%.
Most people drive like maniacs when they’re late for work or an event, and they don’t even realize how much danger they’re putting everyone in.
Instead of rushing to your destination and endangering lives, consider leaving early and driving safely. After all, it’s better to arrive late than never.
3- Avoid Distractions
Driving while talking or texting on your phone is dangerous, but some people don’t take warnings about this subject seriously. Using hands-free devices reduces distractions but doesn’t eliminate them.
A study found that people who talk on their phones while driving don’t notice what they’re doing and go into auto mode. Even worse, some people get so engrossed in their conversation that they fail to monitor the traffic around them.
Drivers who text on their cell phones while driving are twice as likely to crash compared to other drivers, but phones aren’t the only distractions we have to worry about.
Some drivers have been caught eating, applying makeup, fidgeting with electronics, and even taking their eyes off the road to interact with passengers.
If you have a habit of getting distracted while driving, make sure you put away anything that could take your attention away from the road.
The best piece of advice we can give you is to keep your eyes focused on the road. And keep your hands on the wheel.