When you are in your vehicle, you want to know that you are as safe as you can be, and that you are doing everything you possibly can to avoid getting into accidents. Sometimes, this is just unavoidable, and it does happen to most of us at one time or another. But there are also a lot of accidents that could actually be prevented, if people were just doing the things they are supposed to be doing when they are behind the wheel. When you are on the roads, make sure that you are following all of the rules of the road, and being careful to avoid any trouble, including accidents. Here are some great tips to help you avoid getting into traffic accidents and arriving safely instead:
When you are driving, you should be doing just that and nothing else. Don’t let things going on inside the car distract you from the task at hand. The car is not the place for multi-tasking, so you should not be doing things like brushing your hair or shaving (yes, there are people who actually do these things). If you are not concentrating solely on your driving, you are risking an accident, because you will not be prepared for anything that is up ahead.
There is no good reason to be talking on a cell phone while you are driving. This is extremely distracting. If you do not have a hands-free model, you will have to look at the phone to dial numbers. Even with a hands-free, you will be talking, which will distract you from your driving. Put the phone away, and make sure it is turned off so you don’t have the urge to answer it if it rings. If you do need to make a call, wait until you are parked before doing so.
It isn’t really a good idea to be listening to music while you are driving anyway, but if you are listening to CDs, make sure that you are not changing them while you are driving. Again, this will cause you to look away, and even if you just take your eyes off the road for a second, accidents can happen. Only change CDs while the vehicle is parked. If you must listen to music, which itself is distracting enough, try using the radio instead, on your favourite station which is already preset so you don’t have to fiddle with it.
If you are caught drinking and driving in Ontario, you will pay the price. Not only will you have a huge fine to pay, but you could also even end up going to jail and having your vehicle impounded. Your licence will be suspended for at least one year. When you are drinking, you do not have the same abilities that you do when you are sober, and that includes the ability to drive safely. Your judgment is impaired, and your vision may not be the greatest either. So many people are needlessly injured or killed every year in Ontario. Don’t be a statistic. If you are going to drink, find alternate transportation. Have a designated driver. Take a taxi. Take a bus. Just don’t take your car. Remember, this also includes driving while under the influence of any drugs, including narcotics such as marijuana.
Sometimes, you may need to change the regular routes you take to work, school and other places every day, especially if there is construction going on. There may be detours, which can be confusing for many people and cause accidents. There may also be debris from the construction that you could run over, causing tire blowouts or worse. Until construction is completed, find an alternate route to wherever you are going to avoid the risk of having an accident.
When you are driving too fast, you are really risking having accidents (nobody want to change tires unless absolutely necessary!) For one thing, if you have to stop suddenly, chances are that you are not going to be able to. What if a child was to run out in front of you and you were going too fast? Would you be able to slow down enough, or even stop, so that you don’t hit him? If you are driving within the posted speed limit, you will not have this problem, because you will be driving at a speed that makes it easy to stop quickly if necessary. It is not just pedestrians you need to worry about either. Another driver may not be paying attention and run a stop sign, and you need to be going slowly enough to be able to react on time.
Just like speed limits, there are other rules of the road that you must follow if you want to avoid having accidents, and getting traffic tickets. If you are approaching a stop sign or a red light, start slowing down long before you get to it, so that you are able to come to a complete stop at the stop line. Obey all traffic signs; they are there for a reason.
There are going to be some drivers who do some pretty crazy things, like speed and cut other drivers off, and sooner or later, you are going to be faced with one of these people. The best thing to do in a case like this is to try and get as far out of their way as possible. If they are crawling up behind you, honking their horn, slow down to let them pass. Don’t play games and just make them angrier. The quicker you can get them away from you, the safer you will be.
When you are practicing safe driving skills, and making sure that you are always paying attention to your own driving and that of others around you, you are doing much to save yourself from ending up in traffic accidents. Be sensible when you are behind the wheel, and you will be safe when you arrive at your destination.
