You would be surprised to hear that not very many people can say they have not been in an accident within the last twenty to thirty years. Granted some people are more prone to accidents than others. We are not invisible. Here in the U.S. we have the highest rate of per-capita vehicle ownership in the world, with 865 vehicles per 1,000 Americans. With 86 percent of passenger-miles traveled done so by cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles. The remaining 24 percent of passenger-miles is being traveled by air or boat. That means that here in the U.S. there are more people on the roads leaving more opportunity for accidents.
It’s definitely eye ope
ning when you dive into statistics. So because of this, we came up with ideas on how to stay safe and avoid an accident.
ning when you dive into statistics. So because of this, we came up with ideas on how to stay safe and avoid an accident.
First off, stay focused. You can’t focus if you are stressing about work or thinking about your day. Stop thinking about all that happened at work and pay attention to the road. It’s easy to be driving along the highway and let your mind wander. It can help the time go by, but it takes your attention elsewhere and slows down your response to other cars in a tricky situation.
If you start to feel tired, pull over. This is definitely encouraged for truck drivers as you spend your whole day driving and are bound to get tired while staring at the road. There are many rest areas in each state and there is no shame in pulling off, looking one up, and heading over for a quick nap. You can find a reliable link here.
Stay off your phone. Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. But it isn’t just texting, talking on the phone is also threatening as it lea
ves one hand on the steering wheel. Most cars will now allow your phone to connect through the stereo, or you can turn on speakerphone on while talking to someone. These methods are safer as it allows for both hands to stay on the wheel.
Verizon and At&t have also provided a “Driving Mode” for smartphones. This mode will allow the user to turn off notifications received while driving. In the end, your phone can wait. It’s not worth car repairs and it is definitely not worth a life.
Leave needed items such as wallet, snacks, and music within reach. If you have a passenger in your car it’s helpful as they can grab things for you. Otherwise, it’s best to leave a bag or purse behind the passenger seat or even on the passenger seat as it is easy to grab. Another safe place is the car door if the item will fit. However, NEVER put a bag on the floor of your driver side where it can easily jam the gas or brake pedal.
Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts will reduce the risk of death by 45 percent. They keep you secure in case of sliding or bad road conditions, which will increase your precision to get out of said situation. It is also good to ensure that all your passengers are wearing seat belts before driving. You may be an excellent driver; however, it’s the other drivers on the road we worry about.
Stay calm and drive safe. Road rage is a leading cause of reckless driving. Ways to calm yourself down can include laughing it off; know that you are the more knowledgeable driver; and allow yourself extra time in driving to a destination. This will reduce anxiety and prevent you from speeding past an annoying driver.
Accidents can be extremely dangerous and it’s important to pay attention to safety hazards and road conditions. No one is exempt and it’s vital for you and the other 86 percent of the U.S. population driving on the roads.
More Staggering Stats:
- Every day more than 9 people are killed due to distracted driving.
- Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field blind.
- The main causes of accidents include: alcohol, speeding, and reckless driving.
- In the U.S. alone there were 39,339 fatalities by Mode in 2016. Of those 39,339 fatalities, 37,461 were by Highway, and 722 were by medium and heavy trucks. While 13,412 fatalities were by passenger cars (cars designed to carry fewer than 10 people).
