Every year, there are several thousand car accidents. They include the young teenager just learning how to drive all the way to the elderly patron who’s been driving for decades. There are an increasing number of things to distract us from the road from the radio to eating, GPS, and the cell phones that we all swear we don’t use while we are driving. Unfortunately, several of these accidents are fatal and destroy families, taking away moms and dads and sometimes, our children. Below are three tips that may prevent you from experiencing this catastrophe.
Don’t Drive Intoxicated
The majority of you are looking at the computer screen like this author has lost her mind. Of course you should not drive intoxicated! Yet, in 2014, over 27 million people admitted to driving drunk. Most of us think about drunk driving with you talk about driving intoxicated, but there are other forms. Some, of which, the average Joe may not have recently considered. The majority of us know that driving while under the influence of illegal drugs is another form of intoxication, but did you know that driving under the influence of some of the medicines you may be prescribed will have the same effect and get you in just as much trouble with the law, as well? The last form rarely thought of, unless you drive for a living, is lack of sleep. When we drive tired, our body’s reaction time can be as slow as if we were drunk.
Keep The Distractions to a Minimum
All of us, at one time or another, have been in a rush to get somewhere. Whether we are late for work or a doctor’s appointment or headed to a hang out with friends that we just can’t wait to be with, many of us put the pedal to the metal and we occasionally stop for something to eat. We might crank up the volume on the radio and sing our hearts out, as well, to ease the stress of the rush. Along the way, sometimes, someone calls or texts and many of us answer the phone or chance that real short two or three word text back. These decisions could be fatal. Keep the distractions to a minimum.
Keep Your Car in Good Shape
If you are like a lot of America, you like to save money where you can. Your car is not the place to be chintzy. Make sure that you have your oil changed regularly, that you have enough gas to get where you are going, and that your other fluids are clean and filled, too. Schedule routine tune ups once a year and pay attention to your car. Get to know your own vehicle so that if something does sound or feel out of place, you are able to recognize it.
In the end, if you are still unable to avoid an accident, always be prepared to handle the physical aspects as well as you can and have your lawyer on standby.
Originally posted on July 31, 2017 @ 5:12 pm