Driving Safety Tips to Avoid an Accident
When it comes to our driving, most people feel like they are reasonably good drivers. But as the accident rate rises each year, most of us could use a few pointers to help keep us and our loved ones safe when we are behind the wheel. Below are some safety tips that if followed should help keep you safe and accident free while on the road.
Here are some tips to follow when behind the wheel:
Don’t allow children to fight or climb around in your car (they should be buckled in their seats at all times). One accidental bump or too much noise can easily distract you from concentrating on driving safely.
Cell phones can also take your focus away from the task at hand: arriving safely at your destination. Use hands-free communication and never text while driving.
Avoid driving when you’re tired. Be aware that some medications can cause drowsiness and make operating a vehicle very dangerous.
Always use caution when changing lanes. Cutting in front of someone, changing lanes too fast or not using your signals may cause an accident or upset other drivers.
Scene safety when involved in an accident.
If you’re involved in an accident, first make sure no one in the car is injured. Next, check on the passengers in the other vehicle; or, if necessary, make certain that no pedestrians are hurt. Then, take these five things into account:
Stay at the scene. Leaving can result in additional violations or fines.
Call 911 or the police as soon as possible. They’ll dispatch medical personnel and a police officer immediately to the scene of the accident. Wait for the police to complete an accident report.
If you’re on a busy highway, stay inside the car and wait for the police or an ambulance. It’s dangerous if passengers stand along a busy street.
Don’t get into an argument or a fight with the other driver. Simply exchange contact and insurance information. If possible, also get the name and phone numbers of witnesses.
Call your insurance provider to report the claim. Your agent will ask you to send any paperwork you receive regarding the accident and will give you instructions as to where you can get your car fixed.
Best safety practices with police and emergency vehicles.
If you notice that a police car is following you with its emergency lights flashing, pull over to the side of the road safely and quickly. Wait inside your car for the officer to approach and talk to you and also be prepared to:
Turn on your interior light at night and keep your hands where the officer can see them, preferably on the steering wheel.
Don’t reach under your seat or into your glove box. This may cause the officer to think you’re reaching for a weapon or hiding something.
Give your license and registration to the officer if asked to do so. If the officer asks you to step out of your car, do so without sudden or threatening movements.
Stay calm − don’t become argumentative, disorderly or abusive − and never attempt to bribe the officer.
Present your story in traffic court if you feel you’ve been unfairly treated. You may be represented.
Staying safe and helping you avoid a ticket.
Basic car safety encourages you to obey the posted speed limit at all times. Speeding tickets are costly, and penalties for speeding can include fines, court appearances and loss or suspension of your driving privileges. Also, depending on your insurance policy, speeding tickets can impact your rates.
Never pass a stopped bus displaying a stop sign to its left; that’s a signal that children are crossing the street.
If you hear a siren coming behind you, it’s an indication that a police or fire truck is speeding by you, toward an emergency. If it is safe, pull to the side, stop and wait until the vehicle goes by.
Horn honking is reserved for emergencies. It’s considered rude to use your horn for any other situation.
Completely stop at stop signs and look for other drivers and pedestrians before you cross.
Use care when parking your vehicle. Always look for tow away zone or handicapped signs these areas are reserved for vehicles with special permits. Also, certain streets may have parking restrictions, and failing to follow instructions at a parking meter may result in a fine.
Some of the variables that may affect safe driving, like the weather, can’t be controlled. However, by staying alert, taking precautions, and following our safe driving tips you can avoid potential car accidents and tickets.
Driving tips for winter conditions
First of all, buckle up. Basic car safety encourages the use of seat belts and car seats at all times. They’re one of your best defenses in a crash. And it’s the law.
Winter can bring snow, freezing rain and slush, which all make driving hazardous. Use extra caution in areas that ice up quickly, especially intersections, shaded areas, bridges and overpasses.
Since the winter season can bring all sorts of weather surprises, regularly check weather reports on TV or radio so you can prepare for bad weather. On severe weather days, schools and workplaces might close or delay opening. Consider staying at home if you don’t need to be on the road.
Make sure you keep an emergency kit in the trunk of your car, including blankets, a first aid kit, and jumper cables. Include some food and water in your emergency kit, make sure your cell phone is fully charged and that your car always has a full tank of gas.
Driving safely on icy roads
Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Keep your lights and windshield clean.
Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice on shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Don’t pass snow plays and sanding trucks. The drives have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid…
Take your foot off the accelerator.
Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), don not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse, this is normal.
If your front wheels skid…
Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck…
Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help you get traction.
Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first- it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
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