Avoiding Auto Accidents
- Avoid Driving Distractions
- These include but are not limited to: other passengers, cellular
phones, the radio/tape/CD player, eating while driving
- Driving distractions take the driver’s attention off the road
- Only a split-second of negligence is necessary to cause accident
- Always Leave Yourself an Out
- Look for space cushions in traffic where your safety doesn’t
depend on another driv
- Make frequent use of the mirrors on your car to monitor your spot
in traffic at all times
- Use the 2-second rule: the car in front of you should be passing
a roadside obstacle at least two-seconds before you pass it
- This allows you more time to react to any traffic problems ahead
of you
- Use your headlights
- Having your headlights on is a good way to make yourself more visible
to other cars and pedestrians when you are on the road
- Be a defensive driver
- Don’t assume that other drivers will see and respect your
right of way all the time
- Never presume that another driver will do something unless you
are absolutely positive they will do so
- Maintain average traffic speed
- On the road there is nothing more dangerous than someone who is
moving at a radically different speed
- Cars moving too slow can be the cause of accidents, move along with
the traffic to avoid problems
- Speeding is a frequent factor in automobile accidents, don’t
exceed speed limits even if the road appears empty
- Respect the weather
- Don’t push the car to unsafe speeds when there are weather
conditions that impair driving
- Be aware that our reactions and driving skill deteriorate as we become
tired