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According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 million people die in road traffic crashes around the world every year.
But as long as you remember to never do any of the following things, you can significantly decrease your chances of being involved in an accident.
Drive Under the Influence
According to the NHTSA, approximately 32 people die in drunk driving accidents in the U.S. every single day. That equates to around one fatality every 45 minutes.
So, it is clear that, even though we all know just how dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is, many drivers still do it.
You should never drive while under the influence, as you are much more likely to be involved in an auto accident. And that not only puts your life at risk. It also puts the lives of other drivers, as well as passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians, in danger. It is best to be preventive to ward off a DUI charge, even if DUI attorneys are qualified to help you with your possible charges.
If you have alcohol or drugs in your system and you need to go somewhere, hire an Uber or get public transport.
Drive While Tired
When you are tired, you will have slower reaction times when driving, which hugely increases your risk of being involved in an accident.
You could even fall asleep at the wheel, in which case, an accident is almost certain. If you feel sleepy while behind the wheel, make sure you pull over and rest. It is not worth putting your life and other lives in danger just to get somewhere on time.
Speed
The same applies to speeding. It is not worth trying to get to your destination quicker if it means you are endangering lives.
According to the National Safety Council, in the U.S. in 2020, speeding vehicles resulted in 11,258 fatalities, which equates to around 30 deaths every day.
Plus, the faster you drive, the more likely it is that the aftermath of the accident will be worse. So, always follow the speed limit.
Forget to Wear Your Seatbelt
It takes no time at all to put your seatbelt on, so make sure you do not forget to do it. According to the NHTSA, seatbelts saved almost 15,000 lives in the U.S. in 2017 alone.
So, never overlook putting your seatbelt on, and always ensure your passengers have their seatbelts on too.
Drive While Distracted
When operating a motor vehicle, whether it is a Volkswagen, Honda, or Chevrolet, you must pay attention at all times and always have your eyes on the road.
While every driver knows that, far too many accidents are caused every year by distracted driving.
That includes things like using cell phones, eating snacks, and setting a satnav. It can even include having a conversation with a passenger if it means you are not fully focused on the road.
Dolman Law wrote that distracted driving caused around 400,000 injuries and 2,841 deaths in the U.S. in 2018. So, do not overlook just how dangerous distracted driving can be.
Tailgate
During your driving lessons, you learned to never tailgate. So, ensure you do not do it. Driving very close to the vehicle in front is dangerous. And if the driver comes to a sudden stop, the accident that is sure to ensue will be your fault.
Always leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front. Also, if you notice the vehicle behind you is tailgating, pull over to let it pass.
