Preventing accidents is easy if you know what to do. Most drivers have learned what to do and what not to do at the scene of an accident, and a primary survey of frequently asked car accident questions tells you that most accidents can be avoided. So how do you prevent a car accident that hasn’t even happened yet? Read on for eight tips on how to avoid a car accident to keep you and your family safe.
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Tips for Preventing Car Accidents
- Slowly pull into traffic. Stop, look, and listen. You should also be aware of your blind spots, including those in rearview mirrors and behind windshield pillars or road signs on the highway. When making a right turn at an intersection, make sure to look both ways before making that turn. Vehicles can appear almost out of nowhere, so exercise caution when pulling into a busy intersection.
- Watch for red-light runners. Count to three before entering an intersection on a green light. Look both ways and be sure that no one is trying to speed through the yellow light.
- Watch for kids. Children and animals are often prone to jumping out suddenly into the roadway from between parked cars. If you’re driving in a residential area or near a park where kids play, observe and slow down.
- Perform engine maintenance regularly. Avoid breaking down on the side of the road by performing regular engine checks and having your oil regularly changed. Keep the tires properly inflated.
- Scan 12 seconds ahead. Always concentrate on the area in which you will be driving in 10-12 seconds. For highway driving, keep a far enough distance in-between cars so that if they were to stop, you would have plenty of room to bring your vehicle to a stop or to change lanes.
- Look backward when backing out. Accidents in parking lots are all too common; look out for cars leaving parking spaces. Mirrors alone won’t allow you to see everything. Physically look over your right shoulder while steering to alleviate blind spots resulting from mirrors.
- Do not tailgate. Leave a three-second cushion between you and the driver in front of you. And begin your journey early enough to allow for delays so you don’t feel the need to speed to make up time. Tailgating is a major cause of accidents.
- Be courteous to other drivers. No one can claim ownership of the road. Treat others with respect and report any suspicious driving activity to the police.
If you follow these eight tips for how to avoid a car accident, you’ll have a much higher probability of keeping yourself and your family safe while traveling by car.
