Driving Tips to Ensure Road Safety and Avoid Accidents

Road accidents and mishaps are not really the fault of the drivers all the time, but in spite of everything, thousands of Americans lose their lives ever year. You cannot make people change their driving habits, but there are some safety measures that you can implement to prevent them from happening. Not only will this reduce your risks of accidents, but also prevents harassment and legal issues that follow suit-

Driving Without Distractions

One of the first vows that you must take to ensure road safety would be driving without distractions. What does this mean? Simply put, no mobile phones or loud music when driving. These are the 2 primary causes of distraction when driving. When you are paying attention to someone on the other line, there’s no way that you can drive carefully. Another problem of technical distraction is that even with Bluetooth and wireless headphones, you are engaging in multi-tasking. Changing the song, checking that message, etc. are some of the common distraction causes. According to Deborah Hersman of the National Safety Council, 25% of all car accidents happen due to electronic devices. You can be charged with Vehicular Homicide. It means that if you crashed into someone - who died while you were driving and talking on the phone – you would be charged for murder.

Check for Medical Conditions

Not all bad driving conditions are related to eye problems – though you cannot deny that lack of clarity, burliness, etc. are primary accident causes. It is best to check with an eye doctor annually to prevent this issue. Get your lenses changed as per your vision requirements. Also, do check for other conditions like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc. that can make it risky for you to drive.

Healthy Sleep Patterns

Another common, yet surprising cause of accidents is the lack of sleep. Can you imagine being awake literally the entire night and then driving the car in the morning? Fatigue combined with sleeplessness leads to conditions that make you lose focus.

Act Socially Responsible

No one can really teach you this but it is something that could save your life and someone else’s too. Don’t drink and drive. It means that is totally irresponsible and you can get arrested for it – even if you don’t hurt anyone. Also, follow traffic rules and stick to the norms. Being cool is not about running through a red light. If you like racing cars then do it on designated tracks, not on roads.

Plan Ahead During Holiday Seasons 

One of the biggest seasons for accidents is right between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The simple reason is too much of shopping, sales and people on the road. Being in a jolly mood, jay-walking is on the rise. So even for no fault of yours, you could be responsible for someone else getting hurt. Here’s what you can do- 

• Arrive early to find a secure parking spot
• Do some online shopping to avoid mall rush
• Try and go in groups so you can go in one car instead of 2-3
• If too tired, take turns to drive back home 

And most importantly, remember that crowds may get overwhelming and so you should drive slowly. A few extra minutes could save a lot of trauma. Everyone is in a rush. Slow and steady could be your simplistic solution to enter and exit the busy areas. Losing your cool is really not going to help. So spread the cheer with a focused and more attentive drive during the holiday season. 

Get Feedback

Don’t think you are an ace driver because you appreciate your driving skills. It is best to let someone else be the judge whether you are driving and parking right. You can get some negative criticism this way but in the long run, it will help you become a better driver – and avoid accidents on the road.

Be Prepared for Seasonal Changes

Blame it on the sudden rain, fog during the winters or the blurry autumn winds – seasonal changes are a hindrance to driving. Since you cannot stop driving because of it, being prepared should be your motto. Get fog lights installed in the car, especially if you drive a long way back home. Check your windshield and keep the wiper fluid handy for sudden weather gashes like heavy rains or fog. In such cases, it is better to pull over and wait. Alternatively, drive slowly. Roads are quite slippery during the fall. Your tires shouldn’t be worn down. Check for the inflated ration too. Overinflated or underinflated tires tend to hydroplane during the wet weather. During the summer months, keep sunglasses handy. The Florida sun really isn’t sunny and smiley all the time.

Vacation Rides

Before heading off for a car vacation, check your fuel, tires, breaks, etc. You don’t want mechanics fiddling with them. It also means safety for your family and you – along with someone else’s too. It could mean a bit of overhauling but that really makes your car roadworthy. 

Car Insurance

Check or review your car insurance policy time and again. This is crucial in case of car or road accidents. Being covered will help you get protection in case of the unlikely event of an accident. In case it is not your fault, you would still want to be covered against someone with inadequate insurance.

In Case of Injury/ Death

If your family, kin or dear one is lost due to negligent driving or rash use of automobile you should file for compensation. The wrongful death or injury of a loved one is not something that you can compensate – but justice should prevail. 

Kevin Meehan (The Meehan Law Firm), An experienced automobile accident lawyer in New Jersey will help you get the rightful compensation for different kinds of automobile injuries. We are a two decade old, local law firm helping automobile accident victims get fair representation and compensation.