Accident Avoidance - a Few Things to Remember
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With an average of 100 deaths taking place every day on roads in the US, it is understood that accidents take place frequently. Many drivers will experience a collision, serious or not, during their time on the road. To limit your chances of an accident, it is important to take precautionary measures depending on your circumstances, including the quality of the road, the weather, speed limitations, and the amount of traffic at any given moment.

Being respectful of speed limitations is crucial if you wish to reduce your chances of an accident. Driving at a high speeds will limit your control over a vehicle as well as your reaction time in the event of an unexpected occurrence. For example, if a car in front of yours makes a sudden stop, your vehicle, if it is moving too fast, will take a longer time to slow down. This increases your chance of colliding with the car ahead of you. Driving far under the speed limit or speed of the traffic around you will also increase your risk of an accident; drivers travelling at a greater speed will often attempt to overtake your vehicle (http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/idt_acc_avoid.htm). Driving at or just under the given speed limit will reduce your chances of an accident.

However, while driving at the speed limit on a clear day in a quiet street is reasonable, doing so in different conditions may become the cause of a collision. Slowing down in rain, snow or icy weather is a safe precaution to take; wet or icy weather will make roads more slippery, and taking extra precautions, especially when turning into curves, is recommended (http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/driving/driving_conditions.html). Checking your speed in heavy traffic will allow you to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles (approximately three metres at least), as some cars may brake or halt unexpectedly. Generally, it is also recommended to slow down when you approach landmarks such as schools or pedestrian crossings, or are in parking lots or residential areas.

Whenever you are driving, always be aware of your blind spots to avoid an accident. These areas won't be visible to you when you check your mirrors, so turn your head before making a lane change to make sure no cars are in the way. Also, be aware of other vehicles' blind spots, and keep clear of them as much as possible so that you remain visible to other drivers.

Many accidents involve drivers on the road under the influence of alcohol. In 2008, 37 per cent of fatal accidents involved drink driving throughout the US, where a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more is over the legal limit for drivers (http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics.html). If you decide to have a drink, it is always precautious take an alternative form of transport, such as a bus or train. If you are with a group of people, share a car and select a designated driver, who will not consume alcohol, to minimise your risk of a collision.