5 Ways to Increase Highway Safety for You, Those Around You

The roads are one of the most dangerous places in America. According to the 2011 National Vital Statistics Report, "36,284 deaths were attributed to auto accidents in 2009. 31 percent of all accidental deaths were auto accidents." You can significantly increase your odds of avoiding an accident by making certain good behaviors a habit, performing routine maintenance and focusing on the task at hand.

Here are some tips that, if followed, could very well save your life the next time you venture onto the highway.

When a Car Is Pulling Out, Watch for Signals

Even if you routinely obey all traffic laws and drive at a moderate speed, there is no guarantee you will not be involved in an accident through the carelessness of another driver. It is important to watch for obvious clues as to the intention of other motorists. If a car is stopped at a sign on a side street, ready to pull across or into your lane of traffic, keep an eye on both the front wheels of the vehicle and the driver's face.

If the driver does not see you, the wheels will be the very first thing to move on the car. If you are looking at the driver's face, you will know if their attention is directed elsewhere and can proceed with caution until you are sure they are aware of you. 10.2 percent of crashes involve a driver who "looked but didn't see." Identifying those drivers can greatly increase your chances of avoiding auto accidents.

Check Your Wheels Often

One of the leading causes of single car accidents is part malfunction related to your wheels and tires. Blowouts can be avoided for the most part by changing your tires after the tread gets down to 3/32 of an inch in thickness. You can measure this quickly with a penny; if Abraham Lincoln's head is entirely visible, then you are in desperate need of some new Goodyears.

Make sure to check in several tread locations, including the inside, outside and middle. The legal minimum of tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. Aside from a catastrophic blow-out, worn tires provide terrible traction and increase stopping distance.

Limit Your Own Distractions

Americans are unique in the fact that we demand TVs, sound systems and several cup holders in our vehicles to make them feel more like home. When you are driving you should focus on the road and your surroundings, not your iPhone, CD player or the chicken sandwich you picked up at the last stop. A recent study showed that "25.5 percent of crashes involved a driver who was identified as 'inattentive.'"

Do Not Follow Too Closely

Aside from being an annoyance to the person in front of you, following too closely in traffic can pose a major liability to your health and finances. A safe following distance is two car lengths, plus an additional two car lengths for every 10 mph you are traveling up to 60. When traveling above 60, it takes a substantial amount of room to stop, so you will want to allow for additional distance. If you can read bumper stickers, you probably need to lay back.

Eliminate Your Blind Spot

In 2009 there were 53 children killed while standing behind an SUV. While the higher vantage point and bulk may make you feel safer, an SUV limits your field of vision and increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident. Even though SUVs are notoriously bad for it, all cars have inherent blind spots. Even small sedans require turning your head to make sure there isn't a vehicle traveling behind your peripheral vision but in front of the area visible in your rear view mirrors.

You can eliminate blind spots entirely in standard-size vehicles by reducing the overlap between your rear-view mirror and side mirrors. Adjust the side mirrors outward to only cover the area that is not visible in your rear view mirror or your peripheral vision. Aspheric mirrors can be installed on your side mirrors to help view trouble areas and are affected less by distortion than traditional fish eye mirrors.