Safety should be a top priority for every driver. In 2022, there were nearly 160,000 vehicle accidents in the state of California alone. In addition to keeping yourself and your vehicle out of harm’s way, you’ll make the road safer for fellow drivers and pedestrians if you drive responsibly. You’ll have a better chance of avoiding accidents and trouble with the law if you keep the following driver safety tips in mind.

Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents, and statistics continue to prove this to be true. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 U.S. drivers were killed by causes related to distracted driving in 2022 alone.

To avoid becoming a statistic yourself, you should never text while driving and only use your phone on a hands-free setting during calls. Loud music and eating behind the wheel are other distractions that you’ll want to avoid to make driving less hazardous. If you need to change a radio station or adjust any other settings, wait until you’re at a stop light or your vehicle is parked so that you won’t get distracted while driving.

Maintain a Safe Following Distance

The following distance is the distance between the vehicle you’re driving and the other vehicle that’s in front of you. Following too closely often makes stopping quickly more difficult, and many rear-end collisions happen when enough following distance isn’t maintained.

Experts suggest leaving a distance that’s equivalent to one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length when you’re driving below 40 mph. You should leave one extra second worth of space if you’re driving faster than 40 mph. If you’re driving in heavy rain or other inclement weather, you’ll want to maintain an even greater following distance. 

Never Drive While Under the Influence

Consuming drugs or alcohol before you drive can impair your vision, reaction time and other senses that are needed for safe driving. In addition to getting into an accident, you could get arrested and fined for driving under the influence if you’re pulled over by a police officer.

In most U.S. states, you could get charged with a DUI if any alcohol that you consumed makes your blood alcohol content (BAC) level higher than .08. Consuming marijuana or other recreational drugs before you get behind the wheel or while you’re driving can also put you under the influence and increase your chances of getting into an accident or trouble with the law. Even some prescription medications can impair your driving abilities, so it’s best to review all possible side effects of any medications that you plan to take before driving.

Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Safe to Operate

Even if you think your vehicle is safe to drive, you should have it inspected regularly to ensure that it’s suitable for the road. Expert mechanics can check for a variety of problems that may put you and other drivers in harm’s way if these issues aren’t fixed.

If your brakes are failing, you could have trouble stopping in time to avoid a collision. Tires that are low on air or have lost their tread can make your vehicle more hazardous on the road. A cracked windshield may hinder your ability to see clearly when you’re driving. You might also have trouble steering and could get into an accident if your vehicle’s suspension is damaged.

Driver safety isn’t something that should be taken lightly. If you’re committed to driving safely every time you get behind the wheel, you’ll likely steer clear of disaster when you’re traveling to and from your destinations.

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