Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Change your driving style
• Part 2 of 3: Don't get distracted
• Part 3 of 3: Monitor your vehicle
• Tips
• Warnings

Car accidents happen every day - just get on the expressway and you will see everything with your own eyes. The driver must watch himself and other road users in order not to become a victim or the culprit of an accident. This way you will not only learn to drive safely, but also protect yourself from unnecessary costs and save time.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Change your driving style

1. 1 Reduce speed. Driving at high speeds will shorten the reaction time and increase the likelihood of an accident. The faster you go, the harder it is to brake. If it is not possible to slow down, then the risk of an accident on the road increases.
   • Remember that cops are often stationed in an inconspicuous place and look out for drivers who are speeding. If you get caught, you will be fined. This is not an accident, but it is also better to avoid such situations.
2. 2 Stick to your row. Safe driving - the willingness to let other drivers pass and not defend your position in the traffic flow. Resist the temptation to show yourself and take revenge ("Ah well? Now I'll show you what it means to cut other drivers! "). No need to make sharp maneuvers and cut others. Just stick to your lane. Accept the fact that there is always a driver who thinks he is in a hurry more than others. Try to stay away from such drivers. Your desire to “teach” or “teach a lesson” will not change their driving style in any way.
   • In general, try not to drive in the left lane. It is in this strip that accidents and incidents most often occur. In this case, you will have more “escape routes” if an emergency arises that requires you to abruptly change lane or pull over to the side of the road.
3. 3 Keep both hands on the steering wheel. This gives you more control over the car in an emergency. Imagine that one hand is lazily resting on the steering wheel when you need to make a sharp turn - this way you waste precious fractions of seconds having to regroup and risk your own safety.
   • Keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 14 o'clock positions. This may not be the most comfortable position, but it will give you maximum flexibility when you suddenly need to change your trajectory.
4. 4 Keep your distance. No matter how slowly the cars in front of you move, the interval between you and the car in front should always be at least two seconds. Otherwise, you will not be able to stop in time if the driver in front of you brakes sharply.
   • Distance is especially important in heavy traffic. It may appear that the driver ahead of you is picking up speed, when in fact he will soon be forced to stop again. Keep your distance to conserve brakes and save gas. If you constantly brake and move away, then an additional load falls on the chassis.
5. 5 Use signals correctly. Always use signals, even if there seems to be no one else on the road. Engage a turn before changing lanes on the highway, not during or after a maneuver. Turn on the signal for at least a couple of seconds so that other drivers know what you want to take and take into account your actions.
   • Have you noticed that most of the braking marks on the highway are located in front of the exit from the main road? This is where you need to be as careful as possible.
6. 6 Look around. You don't need to stare at the vehicle in front of you.From time to time, glance at the side mirrors, the rearview mirror and the point in front, where you will find yourself in 10-15 seconds. This is the only way to notice a potentially dangerous situation in order to avoid an accident.
   • Learn to predict the actions of other drivers. Look at the cars in front of you, as the nature of their movement will tell you what awaits you in a few moments.
   • Also watch out for blind spots to safely change lane.
7. 7 Always wear your seat belt. This rule must be observed on any road and in any vehicle. According to the laws of most countries, all vehicles are equipped with seat belts that must be worn. Fastening your seat belt is a matter of seconds that can save your life.
   • Children should be in a carrycot or car seat until their height and weight allow them to sit on their own. This generally applies to children aged eight and under.
     • Never place a child in a car seat or bassinet in the front passenger seat or other seat with airbags. As a rule, children can sit in the front passenger seat if they are at least 12 years old.
8. 8 In traffic, keep to the sidewalk side. In this lane, the likelihood of a collision with oncoming traffic on city streets with two or four lanes of traffic is reduced. In the other lane, vehicles will be on either side of you, and in this lane the risk of an accident is much lower.
9. 9 Park your car between two other vehicles. Often minor accidents occur in parking lots at the time of parking or leaving the parking lot. If you park your car in a place with no other cars in the neighboring places, then other drivers may hurt you when they enter the parking lot and try to stand next to you. Park your car between two other vehicles to reduce the risk of an accident.

Part 2 of 3: Don't get distracted

1. 1 You always need to drive follow the road. Stop by the side of the road if you need to talk on the phone, check a map, grab a snack, or play music. It is enough to be distracted for just a second to get into trouble, not to notice an obstacle on the road or a car in front of you that brakes sharply. There is nothing worse than being distracted by extraneous matters in an emergency.
   • It is important not only to keep an eye on the road yourself, but also to stay away from careless drivers. Be 100% careful not to fall prey to drivers who write messages, eat or not look at the road.
2. 2 Try not to drive at night. Most often, accidents occur at night and in the predawn hours. There are several reasons for this:
   • at this time of day, visibility decreases, regardless of the weather;
   • you and other drivers are tired, which slows down the reaction, and the road becomes dangerous;
   • it is at night that you are most likely to meet a drunk driver.
3. 3 Don't talk on the phone or text while driving. Looking at your phone and not thinking about the road increases the risk of an accident.
   • For example, in the USA quarter of all traffic accidents associated with the use of cell phones, and this is about 1.3 million accidents.
4. 4 Try not to drive in bad weather. Unfavorable weather conditions (fog, wind, rain and snow) affect the maneuverability of vehicles on the road (regardless of the skills of the drivers). Even if there are no other cars nearby, there is still a risk of getting into an accident. It is important to remember the following:
   • in rain or snow, always use windshield wipers;
   • use a heated windshield so that it does not “sweat”;
   • turn on the headlights so that other drivers can see you;
   • try not to drive at all in snowy weather, especially in a car with rear-wheel drive, and if necessary, do not rush, gently press the accelerator and brake pedal, keep a safe distance.
5. 5 Never get into a car with a drunk driver. Decide in advance who will be driving today. Do not allow the person to drive if they have been drinking. There are taxis and public transport, as well as a special “sober driver” service. There is no reason to drive while intoxicated.
   • Never drive if you consumed low alcohol drinks. Even a bottle of beer affects coordination. After all, the police don't care what kind of alcoholic drink you drank.
6. 6 Do not drive when tired at any time of the day. If you are tired (especially with narcolepsy or the ability to fall asleep quickly), your reactions slow down. The brain does not work at full capacity and switches to autopilot mode, as a result of which you stop quickly reacting to environmental stimuli. At such a moment, the risk of getting into an emergency situation increases, although the person does not understand this.
   • You should be aware that some medications cause drowsiness, making it dangerous to drive. If you are prescribed new medications, ask your doctor if you can drive.
7. 7 Be aware of the approaching special vehicles. These vehicles (primarily fire trucks and ambulances) do not always obey traffic signals and road signs. Sometimes you can't even drive on a green signal. In some developed cities, there are technologies that turn on the driver a red traffic light. In such a situation, it is better to turn to the side of the road and let special vehicles pass.
   • Special vehicles and traffic lights must be equipped with appropriate devices. Such equipment is available only in some cities and at some intersections. The most commonly used system is Opticom, which can be recognized by the fast flashing white light beacon at the top of the special vehicle (not a “pendulum” flashing front main beam). A small receiver at the traffic light pole reads the “pulse code” and then turns on green for oncoming special vehicles and red for all other directions. Such systems reduce the number of accidents and injuries or victims of accidents involving special vehicles, as well as give time to respond to dangerous situations.
   • Special vehicles only control traffic lights at intersections when they go to a call. In this case, all emergency light and sound signals must be included. The traffic light returns to normal operation after all special vehicles have passed through the intersection.

Part 3 of 3: Monitor your vehicle

1. 1 Make sure the tires are correctly inflated. According to a recent study, 5% of all vehicles have tire problems just before an accident. If the tire inflation rate is more than 25 percent below the recommended level, the risk of an accident due to tire condition is three times higher than that of properly inflated tires.
   • Moreover, inflating the tires up to 25 percent below the recommended level increases the risk of overheating and failure, which will at least affect the handling and tread durability.
2. 2 Get inspected regularly. If the car is in excellent technical condition, then the probability of getting into an accident due to a technical malfunction is significantly reduced. A person is not able to influence the weather, but he can always monitor the condition of the car.
   • Check the brakes. Brake system failure is a surefire way to get into an accident. Check the condition of the brake pads at every scheduled maintenance.
3. 3 Keep your windshield and mirrors clean. It's simple - good visibility prevents many accidents. In poor visibility, the driver loses a fraction of a second and does not have time to change the direction of travel.
   • Adjust the mirrors correctly. The likelihood of accidents increases significantly if the driver does not see what is happening behind the car, next to it and in blind spots.
4. 4 Change your windshield wipers regularly. It is imperative that the wipers perform well in bad weather (snow or rain). Otherwise, you will not see the road and cars, and you will not be able to determine the distance to possible obstacles. In such situations, an accident cannot be foreseen.
   • This is easy to do without assistance. Read our article for the correct procedure.

Tips

• Spring and summer are very dangerous seasons on the road, especially for young drivers. During this period, such holidays fall as Victory Day and Russia Day. The number of days off is increasing, and with it the number of accidents.
• If your elderly relative has hearing or vision problems and drives a car, it is best not to ride with him! Insist that he not drive or take a driving test again.
• Move to the right lane to let the special vehicles pass! Such vehicles can suddenly appear in the rearview mirror. Remember and abide by this rule for the greater good.

Warnings

• Do not go through a red traffic light or stop sign.
• You will be fined for driving without a seat belt.
• Spot and pass all special vehicles if the siren and light signal are on.