Safe Driving Tips

According to FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) approximately forty thousand people die each year in traffic related fatalities in America. Our roads are like a war zone these numbers would be unacceptable in a war zone not to mention the number on injuries that occur. Why so many fatalities? Can anything be done to lower the number of fatalities?

Auto accidents can be broken down into two categories human error and nonhuman reasons such as bad weather-wind, slick roads, flash flood, fog, animals crossing road; and mechanical failure-tire blow out, fire, etc. The human error reasons include being mentally impaired due to drug, alcohol, inexperience, old age; being distracted such as texting or talking on cell phone, reading, eating, rubber necking instead of eyes forward, scolding children in the back seat; show off driving, playing nascar on the highway; and road rage such as intentionally driving dangerously due to anger or frustration.

Nonhuman accidents can be reduced by awareness of dangerous conditions. Hydroplaning is common and it kills just slow down in the rain especially if you can't see far ahead you can't tell if water is standing in the road until it's to late to slow down for it because slamming on the brakes can increase the chance of hydroplaning in some cases. Black ice is exactly what it sounds like it looks like the road and you could be sliding suddenly and without warning once again slowing down may cost you more time but it beats wrecking your vehicle. Fog is a unique condition drivers don't notice how fast they are driving in the fog and often drive faster. Drive slow in the fog you could get rear-ended by a fast driver, speed up and you could rear-end someone. Even pulling over to the side of the road is dangerous especially when visibility is poor because some drivers will think you are on the road and moving and plow right into you it's best to get clear off the road in low visibility just wait it out. During a flood do not try to drive through water its depth can fool you every time especially if it's flowing you can easily get swept away. If you see a deer or any animal on the side of the road slow down because if their flee instinct kicks in they may run right out in front of you.

Most accidents happen in good weather and caused by mental impairment, being distracted, and road rage. The only advice I have about driving while mentally impaired due to drug or alcohol intoxication is don't do it not only could you kill or injure yourself or others you could spend prison time if you do. As far as inexperience goes my advice to young drivers is stay focused don't be tempted to show off there's a reason why car insurance is so high for young drivers you have more accidents than older drivers. When do you know when to call it quits as you get old if you're vision is going or your mind drift please find someone to drive you around.

Check your tires regularly look for bald tires or wire sticking out it's dangerous to have a blow out especially at high speeds when blow outs are more likely and especially in top heavy vehicles like suv's and some vans. If you feel any shaking or buffeting while you drive check your tires, check the air pressure in your tires if the problem persist for no visible reason go to a mechanic you could have bad suspension or tie rods. If your brakes are soft fix them or don't drive on them they do go out on people time to time.

Texting is comparable to driving while extremely drunk it's a problem even people who have wrecked while texting have trouble giving up texting and driving don't do it it's becoming illegal in more states all the time. You shouldn't do anything that impairs you while propelling a multi-ton hunk of steel down the road at high speed such as dialing the phone, surfing the radio, texting, eating, reading. If your children are in the back seat screaming be patient turn to scold them while driving wait until you can pull over. It happens all to often parents and children die due to a wreck while the driver is distracted by there unruly children.

It's hard to get through to a show off, do you think some one with a huge ego is going to listen to slow down or back off. Drivers like this cause road rage the instinct is to block them in let them tail gate you but don't let there actions talk you into putting you and others at risk, let them go on by maybe enough tickets will slow them down or it might take an accident or age to slow them down but it doesn't mean it has to be with you. You see a dangerous driver put some distance between you and them.

Don't tailgate ever. Usually drivers give each other room until you come upon a slow driver on the freeway everyone is waiting in line to pass the slow car everyone packs in tight to make sure no one cuts in line. I don't know how often this leads to a wreck but it sure sets up conditions for a nasty car pile up. Just hang back leave a wide gap between you and the vehicle in front of you sure people are going to pull in front of you don't take it personal if you have to wait in the slow lane behind the slow car until the coast is clear it usually takes only a minute or two before you can pass the slow car. If someone is tailgating you don't slam on your brakes to punish them if anything think of them as mentally challenged be gentle with them tap your brakes way before you slow down for a turn, turn on your blinker a quarter mile before you turn ease down slowly sure it might enrage them but that's not why you should do this it's purely a safety issue.

Driving beside another car especially a transfer truck is a bad idea because of the blind spot every vehicle has. Many drivers trust their mirrors without looking over their shoulders before changing lanes most of us have had someone almost drive into the side of our vehicle or we ourselves have almost sideswiped someone. Just a quick glance over your shoulder will let you know if a car is in your blind spot or you can ask a passenger in your if the coast is clear, let them look for you a good idea in thick traffic.

Check your speed, save it for the freeway, even I as safe as I sound like to open it up a little on the freeway when no one is around. No need to be a jerk by flying through neighborhoods or down city streets where pedestrians and pets fill the sidewalks. I'm a country boy and once in Chicago I couldn't believe some drivers were showing their psycho side by flying down the crowded city streets.

Being a safe driver is a state of mind. Instead of always being in a hurry and being impatient with those around you just slow down enjoy the drive. Be considerate of others lives because that's what's at stake. If driving cautiously down the road you can smile because everyone knows there's that cool guy that laid back dude who is careful with those lives around them.