Defensive Driving: Tips For Preventing Car Accidents

Did you know that on average there are more than six million car accidents in the US every year? The fact is that car accidents happen very often. However, many times they can be prevented. With a little precaution and a focused mind, you can greatly reduce your chance of being involved in a car accident. Here are some tips to help you practice defensive driving:

Keep a good amount of distance between the car in front of you. This ensures you have enough time and space to have to maneuver away or break if they suddenly stop.

This is a no-brainer but one that is often ignored: Always use turn signals when changing lanes or making turns.

 Do not drive if you feel really drowsy. Even if you think you won’t fall asleep behind the wheel, driving drowsy can greatly impair your driving skills and your ability to make a fast decision.

Don’t drive if you are feeling really emotional or distraught about a certain thing on your mind. It makes you focus more on your feelings and thoughts than focusing on what’s happening on the road.

Avoid having the music up really high. Having the music volume really high can prevent you from being able to hear an ambulance or a cop car’s sirens when they need to pass everyone on the road or cross an intersection. You also may not be able to hear a car honking at you to warn or signal something to you, which can result in a car accident. Having the music really high is just all around more distraction for keeping your focus on driving.

Keep your hands free from other activities. Save the food for when you get home. Text messages can wait. If you need to talk to someone on the phone use a hands-free device. Keep your hands on the wheel and all your attention on the road.

Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to traffic all around you. By scanning your environment constantly, you can spot an unusual maneuver from a car or a car coming at a very fast speed. Be mindful of another vehicle’s potential intentions.

Ultimately there is only so much you can do to prevent a car accident, but following even just these few basic tips can help you avoid it.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash or truck accident and are in need of an accident attorney in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Ft. Myers or any other city in Florida –remember after 911, call 411! 1-800-411-PAIN can put you in touch with an experienced, aggressive network attorney who will fight for your rights and get the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t forget to follow 411 PAIN on Twitter (@411PAIN), keep up with the conversation at #411PAIN and check out the 411 PAIN event gallery 411painevents.com!