The term “accident” suggests an occurrence absolutely free from human will and control. However, this is not always the case with regard to accidents because most of them are caused by human error or failure. The best examples are intoxication, negligence and intentional violation of traffic rules and regulations.
In most cases, you won’t be able to tell whether the accident is caused by external factors or by the driver himself. The good news is that in both instances, you can do something to prevent, or at least lessen the risk of accidents. Below are some of the ways in which you can prevent accidents from happening.
- Follow traffic rules and regulations — By simply following traffic rules and regulations, you can already avoid accidents (and fines too). Remember that traffic rules are meant to encourage road safety and following them would always be for your best interest.
Tip: Before embarking on a tour, make sure that you have read the traffic rules and regulations in force on your way/destination. This way, you won’t be taken aback by rules that are new to you and you can avoid accidents resulting from the violation of thereof. - Adhere to speed limits — Majority of road-related accidents are caused by over speeding. Note that most towns have their own rules with regard speed limits, so make sure that you are aware of these rules.
Tip: Always keep your speed on the average if you are not sure about the speed limit of a particular place. - Try to give way — Pride is not only deadly when it comes to relationships and careers; it is deadly in the road as well. Some people would insist their way in and others would equally insist. With no one giving way, traffic accidents become the end result.
Tip: Give way every now and then, especially when you are on a vacation. This will allow you to avoid traffic brawls and savor every moment of your vacation. - Periodically check your vehicle’s condition — Defective brakes and other vehicle malfunction is also one of the major causes of road accidents. To prevent this, make sure that you periodically check your vehicle’s condition so you could make the necessary repairs and maintenance.
Tip: Have your vehicle checked at least once a year by a professional mechanic. Note that you need to have it checked more than once if you’re using the vehicle on a daily basis. - Maintain proper distance — Spaces in between cars are very important in preventing collisions. Most of the time, rear-end collisions are brought about by being too close to a car in traffic. Always keep proper distance to allow cars to make the proper adjustments without risking collision.
Tip: Keep at least a meter distance from your car to the car in front of you. - Get rid of distractions — Another cause of road accidents is distractions. Many people lose their focus on the road because they were distracted by a ringing phone or a very loud music. As the attention gets diverted, small incidents can slip notice and can cause a sudden turn out of events.
Tip: If it’s necessary to take a call, take the call in hands-free mode to allow your hands to focus on the steering wheel.
