We all know that car accidents are pretty common these days. Most people have a crash at least once in their life – whether it was their fault or the fault of another driver. When it’s the former, however, things can be pretty devastating. Many of us feel a lot of guilt when we were the ones who caused the car crash – especially if another party was seriously hurt, or if their vehicle was badly damaged. Of course, sometimes these things can’t be helped. Accidents, after all, are unintentional, and sometimes things happen so fast in the driver’s seat collisions are inevitable. But there are steps you can take to make sure that no matter what the conditions are that you are driving in, you always drive safe and put yourself and others at minimum risk. Here are some of the most common causes of road accidents and what you can do to stay safe.
Bad weather
Most of us have had to make a journey in bad weather before and we know how much of a pain it can be. Slippery road surfaces, poor visibility and gridlocked traffic – it means it’s not quite as simple as getting from A to B. Accidents are especially common when weather is freak or unexpected, so you have to be extra careful. Firstly, consider whether your journey is really necessary. If it’s blowing a gale out there and the roads are full of ice, try and see if you can find another way home – or just leave the following day when the roads have thawed somewhat. If you do have to drive, however, always obey any temporary precautions put in place. Make sure you carry food and water in your car, as well as a blanket, just in case the weather forces you to stop at any point.
Drink driving
It doesn’t matter how many campaigns are put out against driving after drinking alcohol – some people will still do it. There are legal recommendations referring to drinking before driving, and the best thing to do is to avoid it completely. Also be aware of the implications of driving the day after drinking – you may feel sober, but the alcohol could still be in your system. Being hit by a drunk driver at high speed can be exceptionally dangerous, so make sure you have a loyal attorney to call if it does happy to you, such as David & Philpot, P.L.
Fatigue
Driving while overly tired can often be a recipe for disaster. Your reactions are slower and therefore the risk of an accident is much greater. Don’t settle for tricks such as having the radio on or opening the windows – if you are truly tired, these won’t make a difference anyway. Instead, see what you can do to improve your state before you get into the car. Having a short nap is advisable, as is drinking caffeine. If you can, try and drive with a passenger – having someone else there with you can help to keep you alert.
