A Few Steps You Can Take to Become a Safer Driver Today

Everyone has to take a driver’s education course in order to get a driver’s license. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t follow the rules they learn in driver’s education, and each year, many Americans end up in car crashes. Many of these car crashes end up causing serious injuries, or worse, fatalities. The fact is, around 25% of Americans are going to end up in a car crash at some point during their lives.

What can you do to reduce your risk of becoming another car crash statistic? Here are a few ways that you can become a safer driver today.

Don’t drive under any sort of influence.

It goes without saying that you should never drive under the influence of alcohol. Despite this common knowledge, drunk drivers are still one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities. The rule of thumb here is that if you are in doubt about whether you are too intoxicated to drive, just don’t do it. Buzzed driving is still driving under the influence, and you don’t have to be black out drunk to cause a crash. You also need to avoid driving under the influence of drugs, legal or otherwise. As David Teddy, a drug offense defense attorney in Shelby, NC explains, many people who are otherwise safe drivers forget that their prescription medications might be slowing their reactions in a way that can be dangerous. To avoid this, make sure you read the labels of your medications and ask your pharmacist if is safe for you to drive after taking them.

Make sure you’ve had enough rest.

Many people don’t realize that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. But as Ronald Rosen, a Hollywood, Florida car accident lawyer explains, people who are exhausted have similarly slowed reaction times to people who have been drinking. If you’re running low on sleep, have a nap or get someone else to drive.

Don’t get distracted.

Distracted driving causes thousands of car crashes every year, and this number is only rising as more and more people gain access to mobile devices. While it goes without saying that you shouldn’t be texting while driving, there are many other distractions that can cause accidents. Changing your music, checking your GPS, eating, drinking, applying makeup, and looking back to talk to passengers are all ways that you can become distracted while driving, and any of these things can cause an accident. If anything causes you to take your eyes from the road while driving, it is dangerous, and it can wait. If you need to, just pull over.

Maintain your car.

If your car suddenly blows a tire or breaks down while you’re on the road, it can cause a dangerous situation not only for you, but for the drivers around you. Make sure that you regularly maintain your car. Get your oil changed regularly. Make sure your tires are in good condition. Don’t put off these simple tasks that can keep you safe in the long run.

Don’t drive in the blind spots of large vehicles.

Many people don’t realize that the drivers of 18-wheelers and other large vehicles have significant blind spots. If you’re driving next to a large truck, the driver may not be able to see you at all and can end up merging into you. Try to drive behind or in front of these vehicles instead of driving directly alongside them. If you need to pass one, do so quickly.

These are just a few ways that you can be a safer driver today. Following these rules can help you keep the roads safer for yourself and other drivers, and make you less likely to become a car crash statistic. If you are hurt in a car crash due to the negligence of another driver, make sure you get a good attorney to help you get the compensation you need to recover. A good attorney can take the stress of your claim off your shoulders, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.