Nevertheless, you must also remember that owning a car and driving makes you responsible for the lives of your passengers and pedestrians. One small mistake could impact multiple lives.
For new drivers, there’s the additional pressure of driving carefully. Apart from staying careful on the road and taking care of your car, you should also buy one that’s reliable. Car accidents are one of the most common reasons for death in the world. Accidents don’t come announced. So, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and follow cautionary steps to minimize their chances.
“Even seemingly minor automobile accidents can quickly escalate into serious situations, leaving you with hospitalizations, broken bones, and undeserved injuries. On top of that, the mounting bills can add to the stress,” says an accident and injury attorney at Dolinsky Law Group in Greensboro, NC. So, you should always have a personal injury lawyer at hand. But even before that, let’s look at how we can reduce the chances of car accidents.
Learn to Drive Properly
Taking driving lessons from a qualified instructor helps you learn the best methods and tips. Of course, you can learn to drive from a family member or a friend, but learning it from a professional comes with added perks. They can identify mistakes and give you practical ways to rectify them. Learning under their watchful eyes makes you more confident in your skills.
Until you have mastered driving well, avoid carrying too many passengers. They usually serve as a distraction and can lead to accidents. Additionally, drive only during the day during your initial driving days, and drive at night when you’re more skilled.
Always Put on Seat Belts
Trust us when we say we don’t like wearing seat belts either. However, there are no alternative lifesavers than seat belts during a car accident and they have saved millions of lives to date. So, wearing a seat belt can be the difference between life and death for many. Build a habit of wearing seat belts whenever you’re driving. Encourage your passengers to wear them when they ride with you.
Avoid Using Cell Phones
Cell phones have become a vital part of our regular lives, and we can’t do without them. However, we must avoid using them when we drive. Don’t receive calls when driving because they distract you and lead to fatal accidents. Avoid taking calls even if you have a hands-free option. Switch on airplane mode until you reach your destination to ensure that you avoid all distractions. If you can’t afford to cut off your connection, you can mute the notifications until reaching your destination and only look at your phone when you’re not behind the wheel.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Drinking and driving is another major reason for car accidents and claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Avoid drinking and driving, especially if you’re a new driver. Take a friend with you when attending a party where you expect to drink so that they can safely bring you back home. Refrain from drinking if you don’t have a friend accompanying you.
Be Careful of Adverse Weather
Weather conditions can worsen frequently depending on your location and geography, and so learning to drive well in all weather conditions is a great skill to have. Your location can face heavy rain and snow, fog, and even thunderstorms. Avoid driving in such weather conditions if possible. In case of emergencies, make sure your car is functioning properly. Check the tires, brakes, and wipers before heading out with your car. Rain and snow can make the roads slippery and cause the tires to skid. Drive slowly and pay attention to the road. Keep your headlights turned on and use wipers to keep the windows clean enough to see ahead. Identify black ice and avoid driving over it to prevent accidents.
Take Care of Your Vehicle
You can’t expect to stay safe on the streets if you don’t have a well-maintained car. Everything comes with an expiry date, and so do your vehicles. But proper maintenance can enhance their longevity. The engine is like the heart of the vehicle, so take good care of it to bump up your car’s age. Keep your car clean. Inspect and replace the oil, brake fluid, and transmission if they’re not in good shape. Brakes, wipers, headlights, and other car parts should also function well before you drive. If it becomes difficult to track everything, prepare a vehicle maintenance schedule and follow it regularly to keep your car in the best shape.
After that, all you have to do is maintain caution, and you can stay safe on the roads and ensure the safety of those riding with you.
