Safety Tips for Drivers

With millions of accidents to be concerned about every year, it’s important to remember as drivers how to make smarter decisions at home and on the road to ensure the safety of everyone. To help you stay safe and become more aware, here are eight useful safety tips for drivers. Perhaps one of them will even save your life someday, or the life of someone else.

1. The best thing you can do, before you even leave your home or get into your car, is to check the weather. Most days you will know if the weather will make driving your car hazardous based on how the sky looks or the lack of frenzy on the news, but double checking that a heavy thunderstorm, snowstorm, hurricane, or tornado isn’t headed your way could still be the difference between you being stranded somewhere, and staying safe and cozy at home.
2. Make sure you have your license with you at all times. Though it is considered illegal in every state to drive without an official license or permit, carrying your license is more than just about proving you’re capable to drive. Identification can be a crucial part of ensuring you get the help you need or alerting your family should you ever get into an accident. It’s about your safety and the safety of other around you.
3. One of the best ways to avoid an accident is to make sure you never drive under the influence of any substance. Though the first thing people think of is a DUI for alcohol consumption, driving under the influence consists of more than just drinking. Drugs, recreational, medical, or otherwise, should never be consumed before operating a motor vehicle. If you have any concerns related to this, speak with your doctor or check the label on your prescription for more information on driving or operating machinery.
4. Run a quick check up on your car before making any trips, especially if it’s a long one. Comprehensive checks including the oil, brakes, and more may not be necessary for every trip to the store, but you should check to make sure your lights are working, your tire pressure is where it needs to be, and that there is nothing obviously leaking before driving anywhere.
5. Once in your car, always, always, always wear your seatbelt. A seatbelt can often be the only thing in the way of certain death should an unforeseeable accident occur. Everyone inside a vehicle should prioritize the use of his or her seatbelt before all else. Period.
6. Always obey the traffic laws. If everyone on the road stopped paying attention to the rules, no one would ever be able to drive anywhere and countless people would get hurt. Pay more attention to other cars on the road, and be aware of the other drivers who are not aware of anyone else. If you see a serious accident or someone who has been hurt as a result of one, contact your local police immediately.
7. There are countless distractions and obstacles both inside and out of your car, and it’s up to you to successfully navigate them. Making phone calls, eating lunch, touching up your makeup, and more may be a vital part of living your life, but you should find a better time to do them then while in your car. Driving distracted is just as bad as driving under the influence, and should someone or something unexpectedly find itself in the middle of the road, your lack of caution could result in the injury or death of you or someone else nearby.
8. Lastly, make sure your car is up to date on everything from it’s registration and inspection to it’s insurance. Annual inspections help ensure that you’re vehicle is safe and road ready. Should you neglect or fail an inspection you could be prohibited from driving that vehicle again until it passes, or be subject to certain penalties. Check your local laws to determine when and how often you should have your car inspected, as well as the consequences for not doing so.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car related accident and require a professional attorney to assist you in a case, call us at 1.877.732.2491 or complete our free case review form to receive a prompt response from our one of our knowledgeable staff or attorneys. We are advocates of injury victims’ rights and fight aggressively for victims and their families.