Safe Driving Strategies: How to Avoid Car Accidents

Sadly, Texas has a relatively high rate of road traffic accidents, which puts drivers and passengers at risk of injury. In 2021, 4,489 fatal car accidents took place in the state, with more than 15,764 serious injury crashes occurring.

By using safe driving strategies, however, you can reduce your risk of being involved in an accident and avoid the need for a car accident lawyer in Texas. To find out how to stay safe on the road, take a look at these top tips now:

1. Avoid Distractions

Being distracted behind the wheel is a major cause of collisions. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five crashes in Texas are caused by distracted driving. To avoid getting caught up in this type of collision, be sure to keep your focus on the road when you’re behind the wheel. From turning your phone off before you set off to keeping music to a reasonable level, there are numerous ways to improve your driving focus.

2. Choose Low-Traffic Routes

Although cities like Dallas and Austin are taking steps to reduce the volume of traffic, roads in and around these areas still get heavily congested. This can result in more accidents occurring, particularly if drivers get frustrated or try to ignore road rules to beat the traffic. By modifying your route to avoid congested roads, you can keep yourself safe and make your driving experience more enjoyable.

3. Stick to the Speed Limit

Driving too fast doesn’t just increase the likelihood of a crash – it can also increase the severity of a collision. Recent statistics show that speeding contributed to 29% of fatal car accidents throughout the U.S., which highlights just how dangerous it is. If you want to stay safe on the roads, it’s vital to watch your speed and stick to the limit.

4. Keep Your Vehicle Well-Maintained

Avoiding car accidents isn’t solely about your driving style. Keeping your vehicle well-maintained can help to ensure you’re not affected by avoidable collisions. Noticing when your tires are underinflated gives you an indication that a blowout is more likely to occur, for example. Relatively minor maintenance jobs are easy to undertake at home, but they can have a significant impact on your road safety.

5. Know What to Do in an Emergency

If you know how to respond to an emergency on the road, you’ll feel more confident every time you’re behind the wheel. From contacting 911 in the event of a collision or seeking help from a car accident lawyer in Dallas after a crash, knowing how to access help is an important element of maximizing your safety. Similarly, knowing when to stay in your vehicle or whether you should try and move your car after an accident will help to reduce unnecessary consequences and prevent minor incidents turning into major catastrophes.

Becoming a Safe, Confident Driver

The high rate of accidents on Texas roads can make anyone feel apprehensive about getting behind the wheel. However, following these strategies can help you to become a safer, more confident driver. As a result, you’ll be less likely to contribute to a collision or to pose a risk to other road users.