Do’s and Don’ts on Safe Driving

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people in both developed and less developed countries. Automobile technology may have improved by leaps and bounds in terms of ensuring road safety and convenience but because of human error, the grim statistics on vehicular accidents continue to pile up. The best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident then is to practice safe driving behaviors. 

Here are 10 Driving Tips that can help bring you and your passengers to your intended destination in one piece.

 
Don’t drive when drunk. Drunk driving is the No.1 cause of car accidents, the reason it is a crime in many cities. Even at low blood-alcohol levels, intoxication reduces reaction time and coordination and lowers inhibitions, which can cause drivers to make foolish choices. At higher levels, alcohol causes blurred or double vision and even loss of consciousness. If you’ve been drinking and needed to drive, ask a sober friend for a ride or call a cab. The mild inconvenience of taking a cab home is nothing compared to the disastrous consequences of driving drunk.


Avoid speeding. Research shows that for every mile per hour you drive on the speedometer, the likelihood of your being in an accident increases by four to five percent (source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/pub/hs809012.html ).At higher speeds, the risk increases even more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.


Don’t use phones. In the U.S., studies place at 2,600 the deaths caused yearly by the practice of using cell phones while driving. The main reason is that working a cell phone behind the wheel can delay reaction times by as much as 20 percent.


Don’t nod off. A study conducted by Virginia Tech reported that 20 percent of all accidents have sleepiness as a contributing factor. If a driver is tired enough to actually fall asleep while driving, the results are predictable. Even on a relatively straight highway, a sleeping driver will eventually drift off the road. So get a good night’s sleep before going on a long drive.


Wear seat belts. Seat belts save lives during crashes. Worn properly, they prevent you from being thrown around the inside of a crashing vehicle or, worse, thrown through the windshield and flung completely out of the vehicle. The numbers are much scarier for young drivers and passengers: A staggering 70 percent of fatal crash victims between the ages of 13 and 15 weren’t wearing seat belts.


Exercise caution in bad weather. If you’re driving through fog, heavy rain, a snow storm or on icy roads, be extra cautious. If you’re driving through weather conditions you don’t know well, consider delegating driving duties to someone who does, if possible. If the weather worsens, just find a safe place to wait out the storm. Drivers who can’t see the road will be looking for other cars to follow along the highway. When they see your lights, they’ll drive toward you and may not realize you’re not moving in time to avoid a collision.


Keep your car well-maintained. Vehicle maintenance isn’t just an important way to extend your car’s life but also a major safety issue. Many maintenance issues are addressed by state-mandated vehicle inspections. If your car is unsafe, the inspecting mechanic will let you know what you need to do to fix it. However, there could be a year or more between inspections, so car owners need to be aware of any potential safety issues and get them repaired before they lead to an accident.


For more information about Defensive Driving Courses, please visit the National Traffic Safety Institute at www.ntsi.com, call us at (866) 346-3283, or email us at corporate@ntsi.com.