Driving can be exhilarating, especially if you’re a car fan, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s also dangerous. In the US alone, more than 37,000 people lose their lives in road traffic accidents each year, and a further 2.35 million people sustain injuries in car crashes. If you’re keen to do your bit to drive down accident rates, here are some safety tips to bear in mind.
Speeding
If you’re driving at excessive speeds, you run the risk of being involved in a road accident. You also face the prospect of sustaining injuries that could change your life forever or even kill you. The faster you’re traveling, the higher the chance of life-altering injuries. You may want to put your foot down and enjoy the thrill of driving fast, but speed limits are there to protect you and other drivers. If you exceed the limit, you won’t just be putting your health and safety at risk. You’ll also be liable for accidents that involve other drivers or pedestrians, and this could result in a call from a car accident attorney. If you’re on the road, resist the temptation to hit the accelerator hard, even if nobody else is around. You don’t need to be surrounded by other drivers to injure yourself. It’s very easy to lose control of a car if you’re driving at speed.
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Driving tired
How often do you get behind the wheel and feel your eyes trying to close? Driving tired is one of the most common causes of road accidents in the US with more than 100,000 accidents involving drowsy drivers occurring every year. When you’re tired, your reactions are slower, it’s easy to lose concentration and closing your eyes, even for a nanosecond, can have devastating consequences. Try and avoid driving at night if you can. If you do feel sleepy and you’ve got a way to go, pull over in a safe place and have a nap or take a walk in the fresh air and have a strong coffee.
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Drink driving
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that around 10,000 people are killed every year as a result of drink driving. If you’ve been drinking alcohol, it can affect your reactions and your ability to make sound judgments. It can also make it hard for you to focus, and your vision may not be clear. Alcohol can also cause you to take risks you would never even consider taking if you were sober behind the wheel. If you want to drink, arrange a lift home with a friend or book a cab.
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Nobody wants to think about the prospect of being involved in a car accident. However, this is a very real possibility for every driver. It’s not always possible to prevent accidents, but if you can do your bit and drive safely, you’ll reduce your risk of being injured and injuring others dramatically. Even if you think you’re a great driver, there’s always room for improvement.