| The truth is that almost all traffic accidents are | | | | going can lead to accidents, getting lost, or |
| avoidable. There are a number of things that | | | | fatalities. |
| individual drivers can do and a number of things | | | | Stay Back |
| that individual drivers can avoid doing that can | | | | Many people follow too closely. Lots of accidents |
| make driving easier, safer, and more fun. Paying | | | | are rear-end accidents caused by tailgating, so |
| attention is obviously of paramount important | | | | keep a safe distance between your vehicle and |
| when driving, so eliminating a lot of the | | | | the vehicle in front of you at all times. If |
| distractions is key to driving safer. | | | | somebody is tailgating you, do not panic by |
| Intersection Mistakes | | | | slamming on the brakes and do not get angry. |
| A large number of accidents occur because | | | | Simply keep your pace the same and drive in the |
| people make critical intersection errors. In fact, it | | | | same fashion as you would, tailgater or not. |
| is reported that intersection accidents make up | | | | When driving, it is best to leave a three second |
| about one quarter of all automobile accidents | | | | following distance between you and the driver in |
| because people are too distracted by too many | | | | front of you. This will help guard your vehicle |
| things. The best way to avoid crashes at | | | | against instant braking or sudden changes in the |
| intersections is to pay attention to the lights, the | | | | road. In poor weather conditions, you should, at |
| other cars, and the direction you are driving. | | | | the very least, double the three second following |
| Watch crosswalks for pedestrians and ensure | | | | distance. Depending on the severity of the |
| that you are crossing the intersection on a green | | | | conditions, you may wish to leave at least ten |
| light, not a red or yellow light. | | | | seconds following distance. |
| Pay Attention! | | | | Keep Your Car Happy |
| Accidents mostly occur because the drivers | | | | Vehicle malfunctions, such as sudden stalling or |
| involved aren’t paying attention to the road | | | | braking problems, lead to some accidents. For this |
| or, more importantly, to one another. The biggest | | | | reason, keep your vehicle’s maintenance as a |
| problems in traffic take place because of a | | | | primary concern. Before leaving on any big trips, |
| breakdown in communication between drivers. | | | | make sure to have your car checked thoroughly |
| Make eye contact whenever possible with | | | | and have your oil changed at regular intervals. |
| pedestrians and other drivers to establish points | | | | Proper car maintenance can avoid a lot of |
| of contact. This will help determine where the | | | | problems down the road. |
| driver or pedestrian is going and help to avoid | | | | Watch Your Speed |
| collision. | | | | Finally, pay attention to speed limits and follow |
| Pay attention to the road, too. Ensure that you | | | | them correctly. Driving too fast reduces reaction |
| are familiar with the direction you are going, with | | | | time and increases the likelihood of accidents by |
| the turns you’ll have to make, and with any | | | | increasing the impact potential, especially in busy |
| of the other possibilities for confusion so that you | | | | areas. Keep your speed down and be aware of |
| can be aware of your vehicle and its position at all | | | | your surroundings. |
| times. Not paying attention to where you are | | | | |