subject: Drive Safely And Avoid Road Traffic Accidents [print this page] Being involved in an accident on the roads is a nightmare which everyone tries their best to avoid. But it is down to individual motorists to do all they can from preventing them.
There will be times when accidents are completely unavoidable but it should be noted that the vast majority of accidents take place because one or two separate parties are not paying full attention to the situation, or are not in total control of their vehicle.
As a result, it is in everyone's interests to stay fully focused on the road. This is why it is an offence to use a mobile phone when driving because it acts as a distraction which means the driver may not be giving their complete attention to what is happening on the road.
After this, it is important to stay in control of your speed. Adhering to the speed limits is the obvious rule of thumb, but in wet or slippery conditions, tailoring your speed to allow for a lengthier braking distance is very sensible. Driving in dangerous conditions should always result in a more cautious driving style being adopted by the driver to ensure they have time and the ability to react to the need to take quick avoiding action. The vast majority of drivers, but sadly not all, will take a more cautious approach to driving in poor conditions.
It should go without saying that wearing a seatbelt when driving should always be a top priority. Obviously this is a legal requirement for a driver and all passengers, but there may be times when this is forgotten or people simply choose to ignore the law. In the event of an accident, a seat belt may be the important factor that saves you from suffering a more serious injury, so there is no excuse for not making sure that a driver, and all their passengers, are belted into their seats before starting a journey.
Drivers who find themselves getting tired should always take a break, if time allows. Get some fresh air or stop for a caffeinated drink to perk you up. Being tired will result in a loss of focus and slower response times, which together are a major cause of accidents. Some people may decide to keep driving in the knowledge that they will be at their destination sooner but in most cases, a five-minute break can work wonders with respect to how tired a person feels. Staying alert behind the wheel is extremely important to all drivers and tiredness can kill, so stay alert and stay fresh when you drive.
