Tips on How to Drive Safely
Introduction
Driving an automobile seems like a basic daily activity; however, it’s likely to be one of the most dangerous things you’ll do across the day. Car accidents in Atlanta, Georgia, are common.
They’re among the top five causes of death in the state and country. Depending on what you drive and how you behave on the road, your likelihood of seeking the services of an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney may be even higher.
You’ll be lucky to look for an Atlanta car accident attorney yourself since most of these accidents lead to deaths. Many of them are usually caused by at-fault motorists, and that is why victims establish lawsuits.
Luckily, you can do several things to avoid causing accidents or being involved in one. One of these things is good driving decisions and best practices. Learn to drive safely and defensively, and ensure you’ve got a comprehensive car insurance policy. Let’s discover some tips and best practices to keep you safe when driving.
Always Keep Your Car Safe
Your safety starts with excellent car maintenance. While it’s a crucial way to extend the life of your car, it plays a huge role when it comes to your safety. Most car faults are addressed by the mandated vehicle inspections. That means if your car isn’t safe, the inspecting mechanic will inform you so that you can have it fixed professionally.
Remember, there could be a year or even more between your car inspections. So, you need to be aware of potential safety problems and get them addressed before leading to an accident. Simple faults like improper tire pressure can result in a crash. Pressure that is too high, low, or uneven can lead to a blowout or affect performance.
Your car’s brakes are another key area. Let a professional mechanic check if you feel vibrations when applying your brakes or softness in the brake pedal. Your car’s hydraulic system may have a problem, or your brakes could be wearing out. Don’t ignore simple faults on your car, as they might be the start of your legal journey.
Practice Defensive Driving
You should always focus on what you can handle and control from your side. Numerous motorists aren’t well versed in terms of proper driving etiquette. In fact, some of them don’t understand and adhere to road rules.
For example, if you indicate that you want to move to the right lane, the motorist behind will suddenly accelerate to ensure you do not get ahead of them. Some do not understand the right-of-way and only careen their automobiles through intersections.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s plain and simple ignorance or a cultural thing; always maintain a defensive posture when driving. Strive to remain cool and remain focused. Several reasons why these drivers handle their vehicles in that manner are available.
They could be newbies, there might be an emergency, or it is a motorist who’s having a bad day in the office. It isn’t your responsibility to investigate why the driver ahead of you is behaving in that manner. Your main focus is to ensure you practice defensive and safe driving.
Match Your Speed to Your Conditions
For each kilometer you cover per hour, the odds of being involved in an accident increase. The risk increases with high speed. Posted limits of speed apply to ideal driving conditions. So it’s your responsibility to make sure that it blends smoothly with the latest conditions.
Higher speeds also make controlling your car much more difficult when the worst is about to happen, and on the other hand, driving at a lower speed can be dangerous as well. Try to match the reasonable speeds of other automobiles on the road.
Watch Out for the Other Motorists
How safely you drive doesn’t matter. You could be adhering to all traffic rules and driving the required speed limit. But someone else can easily crash into you. It’s advisable to assume that everyone using the road is a learner.
Be prepared for sudden stops, unpredictable lane changes, tailgating, swerving, unindicated turns, and any other bad driving behavior thinkable. Chances are higher that you will encounter such individuals. It pays massively to be ready.
It helps to list all other possible things another motorist might do. Be sure to include the most common ones on your list. If you are approaching an intersection where you’ve got the right of way, and another vehicle approaching has the stop indicator, do not assume it’ll actually stop. Be prepared to break.
Being fully prepared requires awareness, so ensure you check all your mirrors. Use them to keep an eye on side streets. By doing so, you’ll know which other automobiles are around you and how their motorists are driving them. Don’t just focus on what is in front of you. Look ahead to see what is occurring between 50 and 100 yards up the road.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Taking alcohol lowers inhibitions, affects coordination, and impairs your ability to react. In Atlanta, Georgia, 30% of car crashes are alcohol-related. Remember, it can even take a small amount of alcohol to impact your driving.
It’s easier to think that a single shot of scotch or a glass of red wine will not impair your judgment when using the road. It’ll! Your attention span most certainly won’t be the same as it was initially before taking alcohol.
The risk of getting into crashes rises exponentially as the levels of alcohol in your body increase. You can easily get double vision or blurred. Sometimes, you’ll even lose complete consciousness. Always act responsibly. If you’re planning to paint the entire city red, arrange for shuttle services to drive you home.
Manage Your Emotions
Aggressive motorists may infuriate you. And retaliating is dangerous. Take advantage of these strategies in specific scenarios:
- Speeders: Is the vehicle behind you changing lanes aggressively or speeding? Maintain your speed and stay in your lane.
- Tailgaters: Tap your brakes lightly several times to let the driver behind you know that they aren’t maintaining a reasonable distance. You should slow down gradually if the driver continues to tailgate.
From maintaining your car to managing your emotions and anything in between, you’ll avoid car crashes. But when the unthinkable happens, whether you’re at fault or not, seeking the services of an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney will be the best idea. Always try your best to minimize your chances of being involved in a car crash.
