There are many car accidents every year in the United States. In fact, studies find that roughly 40,000 people pass away in these accidents annually, and many more suffer injuries.
As a result, it’s wise for people to focus on becoming defensive drivers. It’s not just about avoiding mistakes themselves, but anticipating the mistakes others will make. The following driving tips can help you do so, which may allow you to avoid a crash.
Increase your following distance
One thing to remember is that it takes about a second and a half just to begin reacting to something ahead of your car. This is why having at least three seconds for your following distance is important. But it’s even safer to back off and leave four seconds between cars.
Beware at intersections
One thing to remember is that roughly half of all serious accidents take place at intersections. These are accidents that lead to either injuries or fatalities. Intersections are very dangerous because traffic has to cross paths and a single mistake can cause an accident. So you need to be very careful, such as looking both ways even at a green light.
Watch your speed
One of the most important things is not to break the speed limit. After all, speeding reduces your reaction times. Simply slowing down gives you more time to react to the conditions ahead of you, which could change unexpectedly, allowing you to stop or swerve to avoid a crash.
These tips can be very helpful, but nothing guarantees you won’t be injured by another driver. If you are, you may deserve financial compensation.