Prevent Car Collisions
Provided By: CarInsurance.com
Motor vehicle accidents occur more than any of us would like. There are ways in which to prevent being in a crash so that we do not end up being a statistic. Become the type of driver that prevents car collisions instead of causing them.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a list of three P’s for safe driving - the P’s stand for Prepare, Protect and Prevent. Being prepared for a drive across town or a trip across country allows you to take your time and get there safely. Protecting yourself and your car’s occupants by using the safety features, such as seat belts, properly is also a big plus. The final P is Prevent and that is what we are going to discuss.
In 2004, an average of 117 people died each day due to a motor vehicle crash. This equates to one car collision related death every 12 minutes. This is why motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for every age from 3 through 33 year olds. To not become part of this statistical database you need to prevent crashes on the road and not provoke them.
Preventing car collisions is part of a driver’s duty. Most ways to stay out of being collisions are common sense. First and foremost do not get behind the wheel of a car if you have taken any drugs or alcohol. Both of these items can impair your driving abilities, response time and capacity to think clearly.
If you decide to drive a vehicle after drinking or ingesting illegal drugs you are likely to hurt not only yourself, your vehicle but others as well. If you are caught the penalties are harsh and severe. Many pedestrian deaths are caused by such bad decisions as driving under the influence.
Pedestrians can surprise you if you are not paying attention to the road. Remember in some states pedestrians always have the right away if in a crosswalk. Be aware of those individuals walking after night in dark clothing. It is your job as a driver to avoid people walking or riding their bikes, just because your car is bigger than them does not give you the right of way.
It takes more concentration to drive at night. Street signs are not as easy to see, some rural areas do not have street lights and sometimes it is hard to see with headlights shining in your eyes. This is why it is important to focus on your driving and drive slower if you must to drive safely at night.
Another problem that you can encounter, during the night or daytime, is fatigue. Do not drive while drowsy. Some studies suggest it is worse to drive while tired then to drive while drunk. If you have a long trip ahead of you get plenty of rest. If you are tired and begin to not be able to focus on the road, pull over immediately. You can try tricks of rolling down your window or stopping and getting some fresh air but it is likely you will become tired again within a half hour of driving.
The best thing to do if you are feeling fatigued is to stop at a motel or rest area. Get some sleep or change out drivers. When you have a clear head that can concentrate on the road and is not foggy from fatigue you can get back on the road. Midnight to 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays prove to be the deadliest hours so keep that in mind if driving during that time period.
While on the roadways always keep plenty of distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This allows for you to have plenty of stopping distance and you will not collide if the freeway comes to a sudden stop. Always drive the speed limit since that has been found to be the optimal speed for the roadway you are on. If weather gets bad drive even slower. Do not drive beyond your means.
Car collisions can include just one car. In 2004, over fifty percent of fatal crashes involved only one vehicle. Thirty-nine percent of fatal crashes also involved alcohol.Be a safe driver. Do not impair yourself as a driver with alcohol, drugs or even fatigue. As a driver you need to stay focused on the roadway and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. By doing these simple things you can protect yourself from collisions by not being the cause.
Excellent service, and I will recommend you to all my friends!
Michael H.
Atlanta, GA
Thank you for reading about prevent car collisions... Please see if we can save you money with a car insurance quote!
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes. It should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance product, or to provide financial or legal advice. This information is provided for information purposes only.
Articles written by CarInsurance.com have a copyright and cannot be reproduced or republished in any way or form without the written consent from CarInsurance.com. You may use our RSS feed with an active link to our site.