Picture this; the open road and sunshine on the windscreen. Bruce Springsteen is on the car radio, imploring us to roll down those windows, and as we drive off into the sunset, a sense of endless possibilities flutters in our hearts. But wait, what’s this? It’s not all fun and games? Some concentration is required? Indeed, whilst not inevitable, road accidents can and do happen, and according to research, are most likely in the summer months. It’s best then, to be alert, savvy and safe and with that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL ways to avoid a car accident.
KNOW ABOUT THE MOST COMMON ROAD ACCIDENTS
Educating yourself about the most common road accidents and what causes them may help you to avoid them. Knowledge can lead to prevention after all. The AA reports that speeding, getting distracted by texting or food, and reckless driving are the top three, all of which are easily preventable.
DRIVE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
Part of driving safely is all about developing the right attitude to the road. Not every traffic light turns red just for you, not every cyclist gets in your way on purpose and not every speed camera is out to get you. Speed limits are actually there for a reason, not just to slow you down. We all lead busy lives, and there’s no point in getting impatient and frustrated behind the wheel. This only leads to incidents. We say – and as any reputable car accident lawyer will tell you, too – keep zen to avoid road rage. If you know you need to be somewhere, allow more time for your journey so you don’t rush and get stressed out. Also, remember that road rules are their to keep you and other people safe, so follow them.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD
The radio. Kids screaming in the back and their little heads suddenly popping up in between the front seats. Your whatsapp messenger going off. That cute dress in the shop window.There are hundreds of distractions for drivers everyday and it’s especially easy to lose your focus if you do the same, mundane drive everyday. According to research, distracted drivers are responsible for the majority of road accidents in the UK, often leading to serious injuries and fatalities. So keep your eyes on the road and avoid distractions. Be proactive and tell your kids why it’s important for them to behave when you’re behind the wheel. Turn your phone on to silent. Basically, do anything you can think of to minimise distractions when you’re driving.
KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL
Part of overcoming distracted driving is all about keeping your hands on the wheel. Fiddling with the sat nav or trying to squash the bug that just came in through the car window means you’re going to take your hands off the wheel. Indeed, you were taught in driving school to keep your hands on 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions for a reason. Keeping two hands on the wheel means you have more control over the car in case an emergency or accident should arise, helping you to avoid it.
DON’T TAILGATE
We’ve already mentioned that the most common type of crash in the UK is being hit from the rear. Lesson? Don’t tailgate. Driving too closely behind the car in front is a dangerous driving offence which could end with serious consequences. Not only is the fine for tailgating currently set at £100 and three penalty points on your licence, you could cause a serious accident or worse, a fatality. It’s just not worth it.
