How to Avoid Common Car Collisions
Car accidents often take place within just 25 miles of the home. How to avoid common car collisions.
Have you ever gotten to your home, or a place you frequent, and not fully recall the drive there? It’s actually a pretty typical phenomenon. Our brains go into auto-pilot mode and we rely more on our muscle memory than our active driving skills. This is why most accidents occur close to home.
Buckle up and stay alert, even on those short neighborhood drives. You may know the route really well, but try to avoid going into a “comfort zone.” Any time you are behind the wheel, you are open to something unpredictable and out of your control happening. The easiest time for a collision to occur is between the hours of 3p and 6p. It’s no surprise this is the time that most people are on the road leaving work and school.
The other hours of a high number of vehicle collisions is between 6p and midnight. But, we will discuss night driving at another time. Although, many of the same precautions are constant.
According the the National Highway Traffic Administration, traffic collisions occur every minute of the day. Yikes! That can be averaged to 1440 wrecks a day. Your vehicle can be totaled or obtain serious damage within a split second because of a simple error on the road, whether it be yours or someone else’s. We can make this statistic better by staying alert and being more cautious as we drive, especially when we are tempted to go in auto-pilot.
The top 6 types of vehicle collisions that occur are: rear-end collisions, parked-car collisions, hydroplaning collisions, wildlife collisions, side-impact collisions and front-impact collisions.
The easiest ways to avoid common car collisions are seemingly common sense safety suggestions: Don’t look down at the radio or your phone, actually, just don’t take your eyes off the road for any reason. Check your mirrors frequently, especially when making a maneuver or backing up.
Check your basic vehicle functions, primarily, your tire tread. Tires actually have more to do with your driving safety than you would think day to day. When it rains, your tire tread is what keeps grip on the pavement. So think about that with wet Fall leaves on the ground. Be cautious when you’re making turns. Drive slower in the evenings or early mornings when wildlife is out more. And adjust your driving to the weather.
Of course, these safety precautions seem pretty basic. We will go more in depth through the season and into Winter, but we wanted to give our readers a quick overview. It really is easier than you think to avoid a collision, and if you can’t avoid it completely, you can make the situation a lot better if you are the one driving more cautiously and aware.
To avoid common car collisions, follow these tips:
-
Stay Alert: Pay attention to the road and your surroundings at all times. Avoid distractions like texting, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving.
-
Obey Traffic Laws: Follow speed limits, traffic signals, and road signs. Yield the right-of-way when required and use turn signals to indicate your intentions.
-
Maintain Safe Following Distance: Keep a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, allowing for ample reaction time in case of sudden stops or emergencies.
-
Check Blind Spots: Always check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns. Use your mirrors and shoulder-check to ensure there are no vehicles in your path.
-
Use Turn Signals: Signal your intentions early when changing lanes, merging, or turning. This alerts other drivers to your actions and helps prevent misunderstandings.
-
Avoid Tailgating: Tailgating increases the risk of rear-end collisions. Maintain a safe following distance, especially in heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions.
-
Be Mindful of Weather Conditions: Adjust your driving behavior according to weather conditions. Slow down in rain, snow, or fog, and increase your following distance to accommodate for reduced visibility and slippery roads.
-
Watch for Pedestrians and Cyclists: Be vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in urban areas, school zones, and crosswalks. Yield to pedestrians at intersections and be prepared to stop.
-
Check Mirrors Before Backing Up: Before backing up, check your mirrors and use rearview cameras if available. Look out for pedestrians, vehicles, and obstacles in your path.
-
Avoid Driving Under the Influence: Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications that impair your judgment or reaction time. Designate a sober driver or use alternative transportation if necessary.
By following these guidelines and staying focused on safe driving practices, you can reduce the risk of common car collisions and help ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road.
If you do find yourself in a car collision, learn why I-Car Certified shops are important.
More on how to avoid common car collisions:
