Unfortunately, car accidents happen in Long Island all too often. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your chances of getting into a car crash by taking the right preventive steps. It pays to be an alert driver who follows the rules of the road.
While you can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road, you can control your own. In doing so, you can help prevent accidents from occurring.
How to Avoid a Car Accident
Stay Out of the Fast Lane
Did you know that most accidents that occur on the highway take place in the fast lane? By actively staying out of this lane, you can significantly reduce your risk of getting into a car accident.
What’s more, Nassau County and Suffolk County police officers tend to focus more on drivers who are traveling in the fast lane. As such, avoiding the fast lane will not only improve your chances of staying safe on the highway but will also reduce your likelihood of getting a speeding ticket.
Always Scan the Road
Try to focus on more than just the car in front of you. Get into the habit of periodically scanning your mirrors to ensure that you are well aware of your surroundings. If you are on the Long Island Expressway you may need to keep an eye out for the cars in the HOV lane. Moreover, continue checking your sides and the cars that are up ahead.
By performing these checks while you’re driving, you will be able to react faster to potential car accidents. It may take some practice if you aren’t already scanning your mirrors and surroundings. But in doing so, you stand a much better chance of avoiding a car accident should one occur around you.
Know Your Blind Spots
A lot of accidents happen because drivers put too much reliance on their mirrors. Instead of checking over their shoulders or behind them, drivers’ glance into their mirrors and proceed ahead.
Your mirrors are undoubtedly vital to a safe driving experience, but they can’t show you everything. As such, it’s imperative that you make it a habit to check every possible angle before making your move.
Remember to always adjust your mirrors so that you have optimal viewing, too. This will help improve your driving performance.
Drive at 10 and 2
Remember drivers ed? By keeping your hands on your steering wheel at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions, you will have a better grip on your driving capabilities. As such, you will be able to react to things much more effectively, thus reducing your risk of being in a car crash.
Likewise, placing your hands at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions is equally effective. Try each of these positions to find which one is the most comfortable. You want to feel natural when driving, as this will increase your safety on the road.
Have a Positive Attitude
Many car wrecks often come down to attitude, not necessarily your knowledge or skill on the road. Knowing this, you want to make a commitment to practice being a responsible driver with a positive attitude about driving.
Remember, you are controlling more than 3,000 pounds of metal. It’s up to you to make sure that you control that weight responsibly.
Consider the Condition of Other Vehicles
Looking at other cars on the road can tell you a lot about who you are sharing that road with. Consider what the vehicles around you look like. Do you see one that is banged up on the sides or front? This could be a clear indication that the driver behind the wheel of that vehicle isn’t the safest person on the road.
Use this data to your advantage. Try keeping a distance to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. By staying out of the way of a car that shows evidence of an accident, you can likely avoid being another dent in their door.
Know Your Car
Every car handles and responds differently. When you know your car like the back of your hand, you improve your chances of being a safe driver. For example, if you know that your vehicle handles poorly around curves, you will be more likely to slow down and use caution when going around corners.
If you know that your brakes tend to lock up in rainy conditions, you will know to slow down early rather than too late.
Maintain Your Vehicle
One of the best things you can do for your vehicle is to perform regular maintenance on it. As such, you want to make sure that you get new tires whenever the tread gets too low. You’ll also want to ensure that you have the oil changed when the time comes.
Take the time to have a tune-up, as well as any other routine checks. Doing so will go a long way in keeping your car performing optimally. What’s more, you will be safer behind the wheel, thereby reducing the risk of being in a car crash.
Avoid Driving at Night When Possible
If you have a long trip ahead of you, it can be tempting to plan your driving at night, as there are typically fewer people on the roadways. While this sounds ideal, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting into a car accident.
The night is when there is an increase in drunk driving. Not only that, but there is also the possibility of hitting an object in the road due to having a reduced range of vision. Therefore, you may want to choose to drive early in the morning or during the day. You may have to contend with more traffic, but it could very well prevent a car crash.
Call a Long Island Car Accident Attorney
While you can’t prevent all vehicle accidents, you can do your part to ensure that you are driving to the best of your ability. If you’ve been the unfortunate victim of a car crash, we encourage you to call Long Island Car Accident Attorney today. Our experienced legal firm will provide the representation you need to ensure the best outcome.
