More than 6 million car accidents occur in the U.S. every year and motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of hospitalizations and ER visits in the state of Georgia. With so many people being hurt on the roads, it’s vital to take extra precautions if you want to stay safe. With this in mind, take a look at these five car safety tips you need to know:
1. Don’t Drink and Drive
Not getting behind the wheel when you’ve consumed alcohol might seem obvious, but the latest statistics show that 24% of traffic fatalities in Georgia involved drivers who were impaired due to alcohol. As so many serious collisions still occur because of drunk drivers, it’s vital to ensure that you never get behind the wheel when you’re over the legal alcohol limit. Similarly, educating those around you and encouraging family members, friends, and colleagues to avoid drinking and driving can help to save lives.
2. Turn Your Phone Off
If you’re distracted at the wheel, the risk of an accident increases. Although there are various ways a driver can be distracted, talking on the phone or texting are common reasons for accidents to occur. In fact, in Fulton County, 52% of crashes were distraction-related in 2019. If you want to stay safe, turn your phone off when you get into your vehicle or set it to ‘silent’ mode.
3. Stay Away from Other Vehicles
If you’re driving too closely to another vehicle, you won’t be able to take preventative or evasive action if an incident occurs. If the car in front of you comes to a sudden stop, for example, you need to leave enough room to enable you to stop safely, without causing a rear-end collision. The National Safety Council advocates the three-second rule but leaving even more room between your vehicle and other cars on the road is advisable.
4. Wear a Seatbelt
Wearing a seatbelt can save your life and prevent you from suffering catastrophic injuries if an accident does occur. More than a third of the people killed in traffic accidents in Georgia are unrestrained at the time of impact. While buckling up might be a simple safety measure, it’s one that’s sadly often overlooked.
5. Maintain Your Vehicle
If your car isn’t properly maintained, it could lead to unnecessary accidents occurring. Low tire treads can increase the risk of your vehicle skidding off the road, for example, while malfunctioning lights mean that other road users might not notice your vehicle. By learning how to maintain your car and taking it for regular service checks, you can increase road safety for yourself and others.
Knowing How to Deal with an Accident
No matter how safe you are on the roads, there’s always a risk of something going wrong. Due to this, it’s important to know how to deal with an accident. While accessing medical help should always be a top priority, you’ll also need to consider whether the incident needs to be reported to the police and how the vehicles involved can be safely moved.
Additionally, it’s important to get legal advice following a road traffic collision. With help from Hasner Law, you can protect your liability and find out if you’re eligible to obtain compensation. Car accidents can have serious financial consequences but taking legal action can be a way to minimize this.
In the meantime, implementing the right safety tips and taking extra care while you’re traveling can help you to avoid accidents and injuries on the road.
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