A new year has arrived! Billions of people around the world make New Year’s resolutions in January full of good intention and a desire to better their life. A simple and attainable New Year’s resolution to consider is improving your safety on the road. Consider these four resolutions that will make you a safer driver:
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Research has shown that most accidents occur due to inattentiveness. When you’re driving, approach it as a mental task. You need to be watching the vehicles in front, behind, and next to your car. Be extra mindful at intersections, as many deadly accidents occur due to a person running a stop sign or red light.
Leave Plenty of Space
A general rule of thumb is to leave one car length of space in front of you for every 10mph you’re traveling. For example, if you’re traveling 60mph, leave six car lengths of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will give you plenty of time to brake or switch lanes if needed.
Don’t Drive Drowsy
Did you know that 20 hours without sleep equates to a blood alcohol concentration level of .08%? Your body and brain will experience significantly lower reaction times due to drowsiness. If possible, have someone else drive or make sure you get plenty of sleep before driving.
Keep Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Current
If your vehicle is not in top-notch shape, it can’t deliver necessary results. For example, if you slam on your brakes but your brakes don’t have any padding on them, you won’t be able to stop fast enough. If your windshield wipers are inefficient, you won’t be able to see clearly in the rain. Keep your vehicle’s maintenance current so you can drive safely on the road!
Sometimes, you can take all the precautions to ensure safety and still experience a car accident. Our attorneys can help! Contact us today.