Whenever you climb behind the wheel of your car and prepare to head off to your next destination, it’s important to remember that safety should be of the utmost concern. We drive so often that for many people it’s now second-nature, which means we don’t always think about the potential consequences of a car accident. Accidents can lead to serious injuries and substantial property loss, so drivers should always remain focused on driving safely. Here are some valuable safe driving tips.
Top Four Safety Tips
Drive While Focused, Not Distracted
Distracted driving has rapidly risen to become one of the leading causes of car accidents in the country, due largely in part to the now wide use of cell phones. However, things such as changing the radio, adjusting a GPS, or even reading a roadside advertisement are all distracted driving behaviors that take your focus off the road in front of you and bring your mind somewhere else—even for just a split second. Parents who drive with kids also face a pretty major distraction just from their young passengers. Avoid these behaviors at all costs and you’ll significantly reduce the chances of an accident.
Drive Defensively
It’s not enough to simply keep an eye on your own safety practices anymore, instead you need to pay attention to what’s going on around you and look out for other drivers showing signs of risky driving behaviors. Driving defensively can help you avoid that driver who is swerving in traffic or not fully checking their blind spot before changing lanes, thus avoiding a potentially dangerous accident and the serious injuries that it can cause.
Plan Ahead
If you know you’re going to be taking a long journey, it’s important to plan your trip accordingly. Plan to stop for restroom and stretching breaks every couple of hours or so, adjust your seat so you’re comfortable, and don’t touch things like your climate controls or radio once your car is in gear and moving. Likewise, if you know you’re going to have to make a phone call, it’s smart to simply pull over to do so and then go back to focusing exclusively on driving.
Practice Good Safety Habits
Driving safety goes further as well. Distractions can come in other forms, such as loose cargo going flying around your car when you make a sharp turn or an object falling to the floor. Secure everything in your vehicle to the best of your ability in order to avoid either of these things happening so you don’t lose your focus. Finally, never get behind the wheel while you’re intoxicated: no matter how focused you might be these things can inhibit your ability to safely drive.
Contact a Kansas City car accident attorney now if you’ve been hurt in a serious auto accident! Call Presley & Presley, LLC at 816.931.4611 to arrange for a free consultation.
