Preventing Automobile Accidents
- Posted on: Dec 1 2014
The injuries that result from automobile accidents can range from mild to severe (including 
death). Most car accidents are the result of human error. The best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident is to practice safe driving behaviors. Whether you’re just learning to drive or you’ve been behind the wheel for decades, it’s a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are 10 driving tips that will help bring you and your passengers home unharmed.
1. Don’t drive drunk-More than 30% of all automobile accident fatalities in the United States involve drivers impaired by alcohol. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if the drivers involved simply hadn’t gotten behind the wheel drunk. If you have been drinking, ask a sober friend for a ride or call a cab. If you’re planning to drink, make sure you have a designated driver.
2. Don’t speed-Research has shown that for every mile per hour you drive, the likelihood of you being in an accident increases by four to five percent. At higher speeds, the risk increases much more quickly. Take your time and obey posted speed limits. If you really need to get there as fast as possible, the one fool proof solution is to leave earlier!
3. Avoid distractions-Many states in the US have banned the use of cell phones while driving. The number of deaths attributed to this activity (talking or texting) may be more than 2600 nationwide. Also other distractions such as eating, applying makeup, fiddling with electronic devises, etc. diverts a driver’s attention in potentially deadly ways.
4. Don’t drive drowsy-A study conducted by researchers at Virginia Tech reported that 20 percent of all accidents have sleepiness as a contributing factor. The solution is simple. Get a better night’s sleep. If you are driving and feel the least bit groggy, take action immediately. People can move from drowsy to sound asleep without warning. If this happens to you, have a friend take over behind the wheel, find a rest area where you can catch a few hours of sleep or take a break until you’re feeling more alert.
5. Wear your seat belt-Seat belts save lives. Worn properly, they prevent you from being thrown around the inside of a crashing vehicle or, worse, thrown through the windshield and flung completely out of the vehicle. You must insist that every passenger in your vehicle “buckle up” before you start the engine.
6. Be extra careful in bad weather-If you are driving through fog, heavy rain, a snow storm or on icy roads, be extra cautious. Drive below the speed limit if necessary, maintain extra space between you and the car ahead, and be especially careful around curves. If you are driving through weather conditions you don’t know well, consider delegating driving duties to someone who does. If the weather worsens, just find a safe place to wait out the storm.
7. Don’t follow too closely-Safe driving guidelines advise drivers to keep a safe distance between themselves and the car ahead. Drivers need enough time to react if that car makes a sudden turn or stop. Experts recommend a “three second rule.” Find a stationary object on the side of the road. When the car ahead of you passes it, start counting seconds. At least three seconds should pass before your car passes the same object.
8. Watch out for the other guy-Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how safely you drive. You could be driving the speed limit and obeying traffic rules and someone else can crash into you. Be prepared for unpredictable lane changes, sudden stops, unsignaled turns, swerving, tailgating, and every other bad driving behavior possible. Chances are, you’ll eventually encounter someone like this and it pays to be ready when you do!
9. Practice defensive driving-Defensive driving incorporates the other tips (shown above), such as maintaining a safe distance and not speeding. Also remaining calm in the face of frustrating traffic issues is another major part of the concept. Accept small delays, such as staying in line behind a slower car instead of abruptly changing lanes. Yield to other cars, even if you technically have the right of way.
10. Keep your vehicle safe-Vehicle maintenance isn’t just an important way to extend your car’s life, it’s a major safety issue. Make sure your car is properly inspected every year. One of the most common maintenance problems that can lead to a crash is improper tire pressure. Uneven tire pressure, or pressure that is too high or too low, can impact performance or lead to a blowout. Another key area is a car’s brakes. If you notice some “softness” in the brake pedal, or feel a vibration when the brakes are applied, get them checked out by a professional mechanic. The brakes could be wearing out or you could have a problem with the cars hydraulic system.
Even if we diligently follow all the above safety tips, it still may be impossible to avoid being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Remember, once you have been involved in a car accident, the primary concern is your health. Many times patients don’t realize that they have suffered a significant injury immediately after an automobile accident. Go to your doctor, and get checked out right away! Quite often, symptoms will develop days (or possibly weeks) after the accident has occurred.
Dr. Jeff J. Mollins (practicing in Downtown Brooklyn for over 25 years) is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of patients injured in car accidents. Please call Dr. Mollins immediately after you have been in an automobile accident in order to achieve wellness as expeditiously as possible.
Posted in: Auto Accident Doctor
