Car accidents happen to many people each day. Sadly, many people end up losing their lives to car accidents, especially on on busy traffic days, such as Thanksgiving and Labor Day.
So how can you lower your risk of ending up in a car crash?
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely eliminate your risk of car accidents, since you cannot control the other drivers on the road. However, you can lower your risk by following a few guidelines.
First, make sure you're obeying the rules of the road. Many car crashes occur because one or more of the drivers involved are breaking road rules that would have prevented the crash. Many car accidents are caused by drivers speeding, for example, or running a stop sign, or rushing through a light that has already turned red. Even if you're short on time, make sure you obey the traffic rules. They are there for a reason--to keep you and the other drivers on the road safe.
Second, make sure that you never drive under-the-influence. Most people think of alcohol when they think about driving under the influence, thanks to the many campaigns against drinking and driving that have been in the public consciousness in recent years. However, alcohol is not the only substance that can impair your reaction times. Illegal drugs can also slow your reaction times, and one thing that many people don't think about is that prescription drugs can as well. If you're taking any prescriptions, make sure they are not labeled to cause drowsiness, dizziness, or slowed reaction times. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist before you take to the road.
Third, make sure you don't drive while you're tired. Recent studies have shown that driving drowsy can be almost as harmful as driving drunk. Exhaustion can slow reaction times, and many accidents are caused when drivers run off the road or into another vehicle after falling asleep at the wheel.
Fourth, avoid road rage. Drivers tend to make impulsive decisions that can cause accidents while they are feeling road rage. Take this quiz to find out if you tend to become easily upset while driving. If you do, try to learn some relaxation techniques that you can use to calm down, such as playing soft music, deep breathing etc.
While you cannot totally eliminate your risk of getting into a car accident, you can lower it by following these few guidelines.
