Car accidents are devastating, with even minor crashes being costly for passengers, drivers, and pedestrians. Yet, the truth is that many times the most obvious things have the largest impact on avoiding auto accidents. Sure, you’ve taken classes, read the statistics, and know how to drive, but there’s always room for improvement, right? If you follow these easy steps, you’ll be almost guaranteed to avoid an auto accident.
#1 Choose a Safe Vehicle
Aside from being a good driver, choosing a vehicle with excellent safety standards is crucial. For instance, cars equipped with electronic stability control are nearly 80 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal rollover. Moreover, options like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warnings, and more decrease your risk of a serious auto accident by about half. So always make sure to pick a safe and reliable car!
#2 Remain Vigilant
While driving, you should always have your eyes focused on the road. This means don’t allow anyone, including your phone, to distract you; after all, your car is not the ideal place to practice multitasking. It’s also worth mentioning that even with hands-free controls, talking on a cell phone while driving can be very dangerous.
#3 Do Not Speed
The main purpose of a posted speed limit is to help drivers avoid auto accidents. Exceeding these limits not only puts you at a higher risk of having a car accident but also uses more fuel and puts lives in danger. You should always remember that the faster you travel, the less reaction time you’ll have to avoid collisions or rollovers.
#4 Remain Sober Behind the Wheel
Perhaps the most obvious tip is to never drive under the influence. Many crashes each year are caused by drunk or otherwise intoxicated drivers, with some crashes being fatal. Driving while impaired makes your reaction times less and can lead to further distractions that may result in a crash. The easiest way to avoid an auto accident is to always drive sober!
#5 Ignore Aggressive Drivers
While we’d like to think there may be somewhere that’s safe from crazy or aggressive drivers; there’s not. Pay close attention to other drivers who are cutting into lanes, speeding, and breaking signal use, and avoid them as much as possible. Most drivers find that the easiest thing to do while dealing with a crazy driver is to move out of their way and allow them to pass. The more quickly you clear their path, the safer you’ll be.
#6 Avoid Driving in Severe Weather
Regardless of how long you’ve been behind the wheel, nature can throw you curveballs. If you move to a new region that experiences heavy rain or snow, it’s best to take it easy at first to give yourself time to adapt.
Ultimately, any of the tips above are helpful for avoiding accidents. The main thing is that you remain vigilant, sober, and aware of your surroundings. Paying close attention to everything will ensure you see the person coming into your lane or the car getting ready to pull out in front of you. Avoiding auto accidents saves you from a bad day and money lost to increased insurance premiums. So, save yourself the stress and arrive alive!
If you’ve experienced an auto accident recently and are looking for a reputable collision center in Covina, CA, give us a call today. And let us help get you back on the road!
About DG Collision Center in Covina, California
If, despite your efforts to avoid an accident, you or someone you love is involved in a vehicle collision, we would love to help get you back on the road. DG Collision Center in Covina, California is your one-stop-shop in Covina for auto body repair after car accidents and auto restorations. Our highly trained team includes specialized technicians. We work directly with all insurance companies. This enables our customers to file a claim without even needing to be present. Additionally, if you don’t want to leave your home in Covina right after the accident, you can request an online estimate for auto body repairs or any other auto restorations. We have a smartphone app that allows us to provide estimates without coming to your home or place of business. We pride ourselves in providing excellent service.