Driving has its risks. It’s probably one of the riskiest things humans do on a daily basis. Despite that, there are many things drivers can do, regardless of experience or age, to help minimize the risk of accidents and make them safer on the road. Here are just a few things drivers should do to help them avoid road accidents.
Pull into traffic with caution
When driving into traffic, make sure to do it slowly while looking and listening to your surroundings. It’s essential to be aware of what’s going on around you and to keep an eye on things such as blind spots, as well as to check your rearview mirrors. It’s essential you look both ways twice when pulling out from an intersection, being particularly on the lookout for bikes, motorcycles and speeding cars.
Have one hand on the steering wheel at all times
It’s important to maintain continuous control of your vehicle, and to do that you need to ensure that you maintain a good grip on the wheel. To ensure this, limit the amount of distractions there are while you drive, such as changing radio stations or CDs, eating while driving and especially using your phone. This is because a pothole, big gust of wind, or a sudden blown tire could send the vehicle out of control if you haven’t got a grip on your steering.
Keep the appropriate distance from others
You don’t want to drive too close to other cars and road users as it means you’ll have to have sharp and quick reflexes to react to whatever they’re doing. It’s best to try and stay 12 seconds apart from other cars, while also scanning that distance in front of you to prepare for anything you may have to do. When driving on a highway, the distance between cars is even greater as you’re going at a faster speed. However, if you have found yourself in an accident while deploying this and other measures then read this post from Maryland Accident to see how you can get help and compensation.
Watch for children
Children don’t have the best street or road sense, so it’s very common to see them pop into the road and try to suddenly cross. Be on your toes always, but especially around schools and residential neighborhoods to avoid any costly and potentially fatal collisions. In an area with a high concentration of children, be sure to reduce your speed to so that you have more time to adjust to hazards.
Look after your vehicle
Faults within your vehicle can make it a much more dangerous piece of equipment to drive, so it’s important you regularly check key aspects such as the tires and engine. Be on the look out for low tire pressure and punctures, as these can cause a blow out which can be super dangerous, and also test your brakes to make sure they’re operating as expected, as without them you wont be able to avoid tricky scenarios as easily. Also be sure to change the engine oil often to limit the amount of sudden stalls that can put you in danger on busy roads.