There are some things that you can do to avoid an auto accident. With more than a million casualties by auto accidents worldwide, and millions more resulting in injuries, it’s safe to say that getting into an accident falls into the “death and taxes” category of certainties in life. On average, there are more than 11 million traffic collisions per year in the U.S. Every time you get behind the wheel, you run the risk of having an accident. However, you can reduce the odds of an auto accident by knowing and following some fairly common safety guidelines of the road.
Utah Accident Clinic wants to help to keep our community’s safe. We have listed the top five tips to avoid an accident:
Don’t Drink and Drive
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol is a factor in 40 percent of traffic accidents. More to the point, drunk driving is the leading cause of driver error fatalities.
Watch your speed
Speeding, particularly among younger drivers, is the second leading cause of driver-error related crashes. You can mitigate a tendency to speed by staying out of the left lane on highways and going with the flow of traffic. Our roadways aren’t the Indianapolis 500 and you’re not a professional racecar driver.
Stay off your phone
According to statistics from the National Security Council (NSC), more than 25% of traffic incidents are caused by cell phone use. With stringent anti-hands-free device laws across the country, even if you don’t cause an accident, if caught on your phone, you’ll pay a hefty fine.
Pay attention
There are two main classes of auto accidents: driver error and everything else. Distracted driving, including the above cell phone use, is the primary cause of a wide variety of crashes. Driving your car at a high rate of speed on the road is not a place for multitasking. Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Keep your car properly maintained
Auto maintenance is the only tip on this list that isn’t specifically driver-error related; however, failing to keep your car in good condition is a massive error in itself. Don’t drive on bad brakes or worn tires is an accident waiting to happen. Other mechanical issues may impede your ability to avoid road hazards.
Try to practice using these tips from our staff here at Utah Accident Clinic to help you avoid experiencing an auto accident. It’s important to keep yourself and others around you safe.
