The statistics are disturbing. They show that there are approximately three million automobile-associated accidents every year. Two million of these unfortunate souls suffer permanent injuries. In the United States alone, around 40,000 people are killed in car-related incidents each year. These deaths are needless; they could probably have been prevented with a little knowhow and common sense. Not only do they exact a large toll in the emotional and psychological sense, they can wreak havoc on one’s car insurance rates as well.
Following are the first part of 15 tips from Super-Value-Insurance.comon how to avoid auto accidents – and to avoid the hassle and heartbreak that they can bring.
1. Be a qualified driver. There is a reason why each individual has to go through written and practical exams before they are issued a driver’s license. The rules of the road are absolute – you have to know how to recognize road signs, the necessities of driving, and how to follow them.
2. Keep your car in optimum condition. Your car is should be a well-oiled mechanism to minimize the risk of auto accidents. Remember that a malfunction in one part can affect the car’s overall condition. Tires should be well-inflated, brakes should be reliable, even your windshield wipers should be in an optimum condition.
3. Forget road rage. The other driver’s always the idiot, but that doesn’t mean you have to stoop to his level. If you get cut off or if someone grabs the parking space you’ve been waiting for, just take a deep breath – and move on.
4. Keep your distance. Tailgating is always a bad idea. A rule of thumb is to make sure that the car in front of you is about three seconds away. This will give you enough time to avoid it in case it makes a sudden stop.
5. Use your signal light. Let the driver behind you know in advance if you’re about to turn left or right. This could help avoid rear end collisions.