Did you know that there are more than 37,000 fatalities linked to car crashes every year? Whether it’s a fender bender or a full-on collision, a motor vehicle accident can put your life, as well as the lives of your passengers, on the line.
If you want to protect yourself from a possible vehicle collision while you’re behind the wheel, here are five proactive steps that you can take to prevent a motor vehicle accident.
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Stay Vigilant When You’re Driving
From looking at your phone to chatting with a friend in the backseat. Many things can distract us while driving and make us take our eyes off of the road. However, it’s imperative to stay vigilant when out and about in your car and to never take your attention off of the highway ahead.
Put away the phone, focus on the road, and stay safe.
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Wear a Seatbelt
One of the easiest things that you can do to stay safe and secure while driving is to buckle up. Wearing a seat belt will reduce your risk of death by 45%. So before you put your car in drive mode, ensure everyone has their seat belts fastened.
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Don’t Drive Recklessly or Too Fast
Whether you’re running late for work or your family member’s birthday party. You must always maintain a safe speed while you’re driving and don’t exceed the speed limit. While it may seem tempting to drive quickly to shave a few minutes off your estimated time of arrival. Speeding puts both you and other drivers on the road in danger.
It is also important to not drive recklessly. This includes tailgating other drivers, switching lanes suddenly, and braking without any reason to. Remember, slow, steady, and controlled always wins the race.
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Never Drink and Drive
This may sound obvious, but numerous people still get behind the wheel while buzzed. Even if you’re not falling over or stumbling, you can still be ill-equipped to drive even if you’re only buzzed.
If you have had one drink or more, ask somebody else to drive you home or call a taxi or an Uber. For what it’s worth, you should never drive after you’ve consumed alcohol.
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Be Prepared for Nasty Weather Conditions
Poor road conditions caused by snow, sleet, or rain, can vastly increase your chances of getting into an accident. If you can’t avoid driving in bad weather, take your time, leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you, and always drive with your headlights on.
Motor Vehicle Accident 101
If you want to avoid a motor vehicle accident, you must drive carefully, always wear your seatbelt, and never drive under the influence. Being involved in a car crash can be fatal, and you want to keep yourself and your passengers safe and sound.
If you have been involved in a crash, you should also hire an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you want to learn more about safe driving tips, be sure to check out the other articles on our website
