Car accidents are a worry for drivers everywhere and, while it’s impossible to guarantee your safety on the road, there are certain steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a collision. Whether you’re a new driver, have already been involved in an accident, or are feeling anxious about taking a new route to work, this blog can help you out.
Remember, reliable car insurance is essential to protect your finances should you be in a car accident. This could be a comprehensive package or tailored pay per mile insurance to suit your needs.
Pay attention
This goes without saying, but it’s surprising how easy it is to forget. If you have a habit of checking your phone, tapping away on your sat nav, or daydreaming while on the road, you could be putting yourself and other road users at risk. Distracted driving like this means you won’t be able to react quick enough should you need to make an emergency stop, so it’s important that you keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road at all times.
Upskill
Has it been a while since you passed your test? If you’re feeling a little rusty, there’s no harm in taking a few refresher lessons to give you more confidence on the road. You can even take specialized defensive driving courses that help you be the safest driver you can be. These courses are designed to train your responses in more dangerous situations, helping you to avoid collisions and get your vehicle to safety.
Slow down
There are very few drivers who can say they’ve never been even slightly over the speed limit, but regularly speeding can increase your risk of accidents. While it might seem harmless to push the limit on empty roads, you never know what could be just around the corner. Try to leave plenty of time for your journey so that you don’t feel tempted to put your foot down along the way.
Service your car
You should always service your car regularly and get any problems checked out before leaving on a long journey. If your brakes seem to be sticking or your exhaust is rumbling more than usual, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Breaking down on a motorway is incredibly dangerous even if you do make it onto the hard shoulder, so always keep your car in top condition wherever possible.
Leave space
You should always have enough room between you and the car in front of you to allow for emergency stops. If there’s a car behind you that’s following very closely, try to let them go past to free up some room. This will keep both you and the other driver safe, as if you need to make a sudden stop, they could easily go into the back of you.
Thousands of drivers use the world’s roads every day with no problems, so a fear of accidents shouldn’t put you off driving completely. Simply show a bit of extra caution to keep yourself safe.