Most of us drive a vehicle every day, or nearly so. We’re familiar with the mechanics of driving and the potential road conditions we might experience along the way. However, with so much experience, it’s easy to underestimate how dangerous driving can be.
In reality, there are traffic accidents every day on most major roadways. Some of those accidents are quite severe, killing and seriously injuring people in the process. And most of them, including the most severe accidents, are entirely preventable.
So what steps can you take to increase your safety while driving?
Know What to Do in an Emergency
First, you should be crystal clear on what to do in the event of an emergency. If you’re involved in an accident, or if your vehicle is disabled, these are the most important steps to take:
- Get to safety. The first thing you need to do is get to safety. If you’ve been in an accident on the road, you could end up being hit by other drivers. You could also cause further accidents to happen as people swerve to miss your vehicle. If you can still drive, pull to the side of the road. Otherwise, find a safe way to get to a safer location.
- Get medical attention. It’s important to seek medical attention if you’ve been in an accident as well, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Sometimes, adrenaline and excitement can interfere with our ability to perceive pain. Follow your doctor’s advice from there.
- Help others. If you can, try to help other people who might have been injured or involved in the accident. Move them to safety if you can do so in a safe manner, and call for help if necessary.
- Collect evidence. It’s also a good idea to collect evidence after a collision. Secure any dash cam footage you might have, take pictures and videos, get witness statements, and jot down the personal information of everyone involved. You may also want to take notes on your version of events – and file an official police report.
- · Call an attorney. A motor vehicle accident attorney can review the details of the collision and help you decide whether it makes sense to pursue legal action. In many cases, you’ll be in a position to file a personal injury claim against the person responsible for the accident. If successful, you could win a settlement that compensates you for all the damages you sustained, including compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more.
Before Driving
There are some things you can do before driving to make sure you’re safe on the road. For example, you can give your vehicle a cursory inspection to make sure it’s in safe condition, and you can review the route you’re going to take to make sure you understand it.
This is also an opportunity to get some rest, as fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as intoxicated driving. Make sure you’re in adequate condition to drive before getting behind the wheel.
While You Drive
These are the most important measures you can take to remain safe when driving:
- Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is a terrifying phenomenon that many people underestimate. Taking your eyes off the road even for a moment can trigger a sequence of events that leads to a catastrophic accident. Put your phone away, avoid eating while driving, and resist the temptations presented by other types of distractions.
- · Obey the law. This should go without saying, but you should obey the law at all times. Laws and regulations are meant to keep you safe.
- Follow posted signs. Similarly, you should pay attention to all posted signs and warnings, and follow them to the best of your ability.
- Reduce your speed. Speed is a major factor in car accidents. Hopefully, you’re already going the speed limit, but in certain conditions, it makes sense to drive even slower. Slowing down gives you more time to react to your environment and reduces the severity of potential collisions.
- Increase your following distance. Similarly, you can increase your following distance, especially in inclement conditions.
- Be wary of others. Always be on the lookout for other drivers, and be ready to respond to unpredictable occurrences.
- Take advantage of safety features. Your vehicle is likely equipped with numerous safety features, including seatbelts and airbags. Take advantage of them so you remain safe in the event of a collision.
Driving safely doesn’t take much effort, but it could save your life, as well as the lives of others. Exercising even a bit more caution can greatly reduce your risk of an accident, and knowing what to do in the event of an accident can help you minimize potential injuries.
