You never know when you might crash into another vehicle or vice versa. Auto accidents can happen even when you think that no one in the world drives as carefully as you do. Following a few vital driving tips can help keep you safe and save the lives of others as well. Here are a few top tips to prevent you from getting into a car accident:
Stay Clear of the “Fast Lane”:
When you use the right or center lane on multilane roads, there are more “escape routes” for you to use in case a problem suddenly arises and you need to change lanes quickly or pull onto the shoulder. A lot of highway accidents occur mainly on the left lane, or the “fast lane.” Apart from this, driving in the fast lane also makes you more conspicuous to
When you use the right or center lane on multilane roads, there are more “escape routes” for you to use in case a problem suddenly arises and you need to change lanes quickly or pull onto the shoulder. A lot of highway accidents occur mainly on the left lane, or the “fast lane.” Apart from this, driving in the fast lane also makes you more conspicuous to highway patrol.
Always Scan the Area Ahead:
Make sure that you never have your eyes on the car in front of you, but also keep an eye on the traffic in front of that vehicle. This way, you increase your chances of seeing a problem quickly and still have enough time to react to it. This will also decrease the likelihood of rear-ending the car in front of you in case it stops suddenly.
Beware of Blind Spots:
You can adjust your rearview mirror and side mirrors to get a panoramic view of the area behind you, but you should not rely solely on them. You should turn to get a direct look at the lanes beside you so that you do not miss anything that your mirrors fail to detect. This should be a glance, as your eyes need to remain forward for the most part, for obvious reasons. You should also consider the blind spots of other drivers around you, especially truckers, and try to spend as little time as possible in them.
Keep Your Hands in the 9 and 3 o’clock Positions:
Typically, most people drive with their hands in a relaxed position, either with one hand on the noon position or both hands resting on the bottom of the steering wheel. Remember that this is an absolute no-no when you are on the road. Driving with your hands in the 9 and 3 o’clock positions is recommended because it facilitates maximum control of your vehicle when you are forced into quick maneuvering to avoid a potential auto accident. If you want to take a break from this position, make sure you do so when there are no other cars around you.
Maintain Control of the Wheel:
You should ensure that you always have full control of the wheel. The trick to maintaining control of the wheel is to ensure that your seat is close enough to the steering wheel so your wrist rests on top of the wheel while your arm is outstretched and your back is against the seat. This not only ensures that your arms will not easily get fatigued but they will be perfectly positioned in case you need to make some last-minute evasive maneuvers.
Know the Limits of Your Car:
It is crucial to learn how your car behaves under different driving conditions. This means paying attention to your car’s performance limits too. You should also remember to learn about and become familiar with the limits of your vehicle’s brakes and tires. All this will help ensure that you know exactly what to do under any circumstances and keep you and those around you as safe as possible, especially in situations where a potential accident could occur.
Maintain Your Car Well:
It is essential to ensure that your car is always in excellent condition. Experts believe that you stick to the maintenance schedule that your car’s manufacturer recommends. This will help make sure that your car stops, accelerates, and steers properly whenever you need it to. Experts also advise the public to reconsider the old saying of getting another 1,000 miles out of your vehicle’s old tires. If you come across an unexpectedly slick road, you could end up rubbing against the guard rail, and you certainly do not want that.
Judge Other Drivers by their Cars’ Condition:
A car’s condition reveals a great deal about its owner. If you have dirty windows or body damage that has been left unattended, it could mean that you are inattentive. If you do not care about your car, do you care about others? Also, if you see a car drifting in the lane, it often means that the driver is drunk, tired, or distracted by their cellphone, and so you should remain cautious around this driver. This is just a fundamental aspect of preventing an accident.
Keep these tips in mind every time you are on the road. Driving comes with many responsibilities – one of them is being safe when you are behind the wheel. With these tips, you can increase the chances that your day of reckoning is subsided in terms of being involved in a car accident and hurting other drivers and/or pedestrians. Even if it is the other driver’s fault, this situation is still an ordeal to experience.
No one wants a terrible day.