There are many reasons why people suffer a car crash, but it usually comes down to a short lapse of judgment.
“Speeding and distracted driving are the main causes of automobile accidents,” according to The Barnes Firm, car accident injury attorneys.
Driving takes a lot of focus and some preparation. This is especially true if you’re making a long-distance trip with your family. In such cases, not only should you think about yourself but also the others around you.
In this article, we have listed 8 tricks to avoid car accidents. Most of these have to do with preparation, so it’s something that anyone can do ahead of a long trip.
1. Check your car
The first and obvious one is fixing your car. Even if there’s no reason for fear, you should still perform a regular maintenance check. Tell your mechanic to focus on things such as brakes and brake fluid, belts, heating, hoses, and pressure in your tires.
To avoid postponing the trip in case of malfunctions, we suggest you perform scheduled maintenance a few weeks in advance.
2. Make a travel plan
It’s very important to plan the route ahead of time. This is especially true if you’re traveling with small kids, as they usually become restless during prolonged journeys. If that were to happen, they would also transfer that stress onto you, which might impair your driving ability.
Even if you’re using GPS, you should know where you’re going. Also, make sure to check the local reports for weather conditions, traffic jams, and street repairs. Avoid sections of the highway that look risky and take the route that is easier to drive on (even if that means taking a longer road).
3. Get a good night’s rest
A common mistake, especially among young people, is staying late prior to a trip. Whatever you might think about your physical conditioning, a lack of sleep can affect your focus, potentially leading to a crash. On top of that, you should also avoid using alcohol or any other substances the night before.
4. Fix your luggage in place
You would be surprised by the number of accidents that occur due to loose luggage. For example, if you’ve placed your bags on top of that car and haven’t secured them properly, it can easily cause a chain crash. So, your negligence can jeopardize not only you but also other participants in traffic.
It’s also important to secure the bags within the car. Luggage banging against the sides can be a massive distraction. While this might not be an issue during a one-hour trip, it’s a major nuisance during longer trips. Lastly, check if your back door is properly closed so that your bags don’t fall out.
5. Make regular switches
Fatigue slowly creeps up during longer trips. We often try to motivate ourselves to drive a bit longer, but it’s much better to stop at the first gas station and make a swap. During the break, you can get some shut-eye but also relax your feet.
6. Consider the driving conditions
For some people, driving at night is much easier because there’s less traffic. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean its safe, especially if you’re driving on smaller local roads. Help yourself by going to a motel and resting during the night.
As for the weather, we can’t do much about sudden rain or snow. Still, you should slow down to compensate for any changes in driving conditions. If you’ve encountered a hailstorm, it’s much better to stop at some highway restaurant or closed rest area.
7. Respect the traffic signs
People often disregard the speed limit while driving on highways. Nevertheless, there’s a good reason why local authorities have imposed such limitations.
Traffic signs are especially important on small country roads. You never know what’s ahead of you and if there are holes in the asphalt. Whatever the case may be, it’s much better to slow down a bit. You won’t save much time by driving 20 miles per hour faster.
8. Prepare an emergency kit and supplies
Despite all the precautionary measures, you should still prepare for the worst. The emergency kit allows you to address any cuts or injuries that you’ve suffered in a crash. It will buy you enough time until paramedics reach your location.
On top of that, you should always have a charged phone. Even if you don’t suffer a car crash, you might still get stuck on the highway due to a flat tire.
