There Are Many Potential Risks On The Road: Here’s How To Stay Safe
Every day people all over the world take to the roads. They do so for school runs and work trips, shopping excursions, and social visits. Each morning the roads quickly fill up with pedestrians and cyclists, motorbikes, cars, and trucks. Sadly such travel brings its own risks, and the CDC says road crashes are the main causes of death in the USA for people aged 1-54. Not a day passes by without people getting injured on the road. It happens through human error, bad driving, and mechanical failure. It may be that you can’t avoid road travel on a daily basis, but are keen to stay as safe as possible. If that’s true, this article will be of help to you.
Put Legal Support In Place
Make sure you are fully insured to drive your car. If you pay for breakdown cover this could prove invaluable if you end up stuck in the middle of nowhere with a faulty vehicle. Policies that provide courtesy cars help people continue their daily routines while their vehicle is being repaired.
One survey in South Carolina, USA said there were over 100,000 car accidents in one year- that’s more than 300 daily. People frequently use South Carolina car accident lawyers to gain financial compensation for their medical bills and lost salaries. Before they choose an attorney, folk often check their website for client testimonials and to view previous case results.
Keep Your Car Well Maintained
You should always pay for an annual service, and it may be worth getting it checked before taking a long journey. Regularly check your windshield, tire pressure, and tread and top up the fluids (water, oil, etc.). This way you will be less likely to have mechanical issues that could cause breakdowns or accidents.
Be Conscious Of The Road Conditions
Adverse weather such as rain, snow, fog, or ice may require you to drive slower. This is to compensate for the reduced grip of the road and poorer visibility. Poorly maintained roads sometimes cause accidents. Be careful if there are overhanging trees or a lack of lighting. Your car could skid on loose stones and potholes could also be an issue.
Plan Your Route In Advance
If you don’t enjoy motorways there may be an alternative you could consider. Some trips go through the countryside and take longer, but have less traffic (and potentially nicer views!). Alternatively, you could travel at an off-peak time when the roads are quieter.
It’s worth checking the traffic news before you set out. This will give you the chance to change your route if necessary and to allow extra travel time.
Keep Your Distance
If you keep further back from the cars in front you will enjoy a longer braking distance. This is especially helpful if the car in front is cruising erratically or if there are unexpected queues. It’s wise to use the 3-second rule to prevent tailgating. This is the amount of time you should leave between you and the car in front. Not only can it protect you from rear-ending them, but it can reduce your chances of a pile-up where other cars crash into you from behind.
Avoid Road Rage
Road users should be courteous and patient when there are learner drivers, slow cars, or cyclists in front of them. If people drive too close or try overtaking on a bend, it could cause an accident. It’s a poor decision to risk your life simply to save five minutes on your traveling time.
Don’t Lose Focus
Many accidents occur through driver distraction, e.g. when applying makeup or doing personal grooming whilst driving. Don’t turn sideways to talk to a fellow passenger, or spend too long admiring the scenery. If you want to change a CD ask a fellow passenger to do it, and never use your phone whilst driving.
Seek Extra Tuition
There is no shame in having a driving lesson if you feel a refresher course would be of benefit, or if you have lost your confidence. The instructor could identify any bad habits you’ve developed, and answer any road sign queries you have. If you are especially unconfident on freeways, you could request a lesson that specifically tackles these.
It’s also important to have sufficient sleep each night and to take regular breaks on long journeys. Obey the road rules, stay vigilant and look after your car. If you are a responsible driver you will be a benefit both to yourself and everyone around you.
