Before Hitting the Road

An accident occurs every sixteen minutes. Ninety-four percent of these accidents are caused by drivers themselves. Four percent are due to unexpected external factors such as the weather or an animal crossing the road and two percent of crashes have unknown causes. Some reasons for crashing include talking or texting while driving, trying to figure out the GPS, adjusting the controls of the car, talking to passengers and zoning out. These examples are considered distracted driving.

There are many ways you can prevent from being a distracted driver. First, you can limit the amount of people in your car. The more passengers you have, the more likely you are to get off your main focus of driving and can result in an accident. Another thing you can do is not use your cellphone while at the wheel. Talking on the phone can make you sidetracked and texting requires you to take your eyes off the road which is extremely dangerous. If you are ever feeling tired before reaching your destination, always pull over and rest. No matter how close you are to arriving, you might fall asleep and not only injure yourself, but possibly others. Ultimately, if you are going to use your GPS, plan your route before you begin driving.

Reduce the risk of car accidents by not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to sciencenetlinks.com, “Alcohol can slow reflexes, which can decrease the ability to react swiftly to changing situations. [Also], alcohol can slow eye muscle function, alter eye movement, and alter visual perception, possibly resulting in blurred vision. Night vision and color perception can also be impaired.” If you are not one-hundred percent sober, do not drive. When driving, you need to stay committed to following all rules and regulations of the road. For example, speed limits are not a suggestion. They are put in place for everyone’s safety. Fdot.gov explains, “The primary purpose is to provide improved safety by reducing the probability and severity of crashes. A speed limit sign notifies drivers of the maximum speed that is considered acceptably safe for favorable weather and visibility.” Some other methods to reduce the risk of car accidents are to never assume what other drivers are preparing to do, ensure your vehicle is safe to be on the road before driving, practicing wearing your safety belt, and not following too closely to other drivers.

Attending a driving school can be a good investment. For a small cost, you will have the necessary knowledge for driving forever. Initially, these classes make you more confident in your driving. Lack of confidence drives people to make spontaneous decisions due to panicking. Your driving instructor will educate you on how to react in stressful situations. You also learn about important things like how often you should change your oil and what to check before hitting the road. Defensive driving techniques and road awareness are main topics in driving school. These preparations help reduce the chances of getting into an accident. Lastly, completing a driving course can lower car insurance premiums, which saves you money in the long run.

All in all, driving is a big deal. Anything you do on the road can affect yourself and others. Always think before acting. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a necessity.