On the road, the only actions you can ever predict are yours. Moving around with others when you’re driving on the roadway is problematic. You need to learn how to perform defensive driving to make sure you’re always safe. When talking to your Michigan car accident attorney, they will tell you how crucial defensive driving skills are. If you or someone you love is in trouble, don’t hesitate to talk to a car accident lawyer.
7 Ways to Avoid Accident through Defensive Driving
Before you even get in trouble, here are seven crucial defensive tips to avoid an accident.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings.
One of the essential skills you need to have is awareness of your surroundings. Keep your focus of what’s in front of you, what’s far down the road, and side to side. Give your rear a glance now and then to see what’s happening around you. Look for erratic drivers and predict what they’re trying to do. Watch over slow traffic to make sure you don’t bump into anyone. Look for any intersections on the way and stay away from any highway construction. Remember that driving on the road is a matter of analyzing every potential situation you have. Anticipate potential hazards and react as fast as you can for any possible dangers that come.
- Do Not Drive Distracted.
One of the worst sins you can do on the road is distracted driving. It’s one of the leading causes of road accidents in the US, so it’s always vital to focus on driving. Putting your attention on anything other than the road can result in a crash. If you’re behind the wheel, don’t use your phone to call or text. It’s best not to converse with your passengers or search for anything in the vehicle. If you can, don’t eat or drink while driving. Have somebody else navigate for you. If you have to groom yourself or adjust some of your vehicle’s features, pull over. Put your focus only on the way and not on objects on the road.
- Drive Sober Never Impaired.
Driving needs utmost sobriety and alertness. If you drank alcohol, used drugs, or deprived yourself of sleep, it’s best to not be behind the wheel. In Michigan, the legal blood alcohol concentration is up to .08 BAC. You can still get a conviction for drunk driving. Sleep deprivation is the leading cause of non-alcohol related accidents. It’s almost similar to the impairment that drugs or alcohol can put you in. You need to have anywhere between 7 – 8 hours of sleep a day. Enough sleep can be your ticket to life and death, and it boosts your ability to react to danger.
- Create a Reasonable Distance When Driving.
On the road, one of the tenets of safe driving is to create a reasonable distance. Creating a gap between you and other drivers is essential. In case of accidents, proper spacing allows you to brake on a dime and give your car room to stop. How do you measure a safe distance? On a city drive, you want to be two to three cars away from the one in front of you. When driving on a highway, you want at least two to three seconds worth of distance.
An excellent way to measure distance is to check for a stationary object as a reference. Once the rear bumper of the car in front passes through, count the time until it reaches your front bumper. It can give you a good idea of how far you should be from the next vehicle. If there’s less than two seconds worth of distance, slow down and back off.
- Set Escape Scenarios.
Every driver needs to have a way to escape from their car. You can use it for almost every possible scenario, from car accidents to unexpected emergencies. If you’re trying to prepare an escape, there are vital parts you want to memorize. Observe other drivers and anticipate what they will do. Think ahead of possible scenarios. Never put yourself in a position where you have your vehicle boxed in from two to three sides. Leave some space where you can maneuver to safety.
- Use Your Car Safety Devices.
Every vehicle has a set of car safety devices that you should take advantage of. These are there to make sure there to minimize potential harm in the event of a car accident. Make sure you and your passengers use these safety devices every time. Seat belts are vital with every drive. Everyone needs to wear their seatbelts, especially the two in the front of the car. If there are small children, secure them in the baby seat at all times. Newer vehicles will have extra safety gear like an airbag and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Learn how to make effective use of these safety devices and take advantage of what they offer.
- Follow the Law.
The most important defensive driving tip is always to follow the law. Whether you’re in Michigan or somewhere else, traffic laws and regulations are there to keep everyone safe. Stay within the speed limit. Watch your blind spots and do what signs tell you to do. Yield to other motorists and use your headlights in different weather conditions. Activate your turn signal when moving and avoid road rage. Maintain your vehicle. These will give you a better time on the road and prevent any issues on the way.
Protect Yourself! Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Keeping yourself safe on the road is your top priority. Learning the right defensive driving skills can mean life or death for you and other motorists. If you or a loved one has involvement in any vehicular accident, an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer is your best bet. A personal injury lawyer is your partner in helping give you the justice you deserve.
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