Top 10 Ways to Prevent a Car Accident

Driving is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable activities we engage in on a regular bases. With over 6 million auto accidents every year in the United States we need to be on the defense in our daily commutes to protect ourselves as much as possible. Though you may not be the one at fault there are some ways to help prevent being involved in an auto accident.
1. Remove distractions. Distracted driving is blamed for 80% of traffic accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Adiministration. Anything from cell phones to singing can significantly interfere with your ability to focus on the road ahead.

2. Avoid the left lane. According to research, most collisions happen in the left lane of a freeway. The left lane provides limited options for escape in case of an accident while the middle or right lane gives you more options. You are also more likely to receive a ticket when driving in the fast lane.

3. Survey the road ahead. Instead of only paying attention to the vehicle in front of you- make sure you pay attention to 3 or 4 cars ahead of you. This way you know what to expect and will be able to react more efficiently in case of emergency.

4. Keep your hands on the wheel. Grip the steering wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. This will give you greater control of your vehicle, making it easier to maneuver in tough situations.

5. Check your blind spots. check your blind spots. Changing lanes without checking your blind spots is an easy way to have a collision.

6. Beware of intersections. A significant percentage of accidents happen at intersections from individuals running red lights or not paying attention to pedestrians etc. Try to slow down and watch out for changing lights and pedestrians. Do not slam on the gas the minute the light turns green- make sure to watch for other drivers running red lights.

7. You can't judge a book by its cover, but you can judge a driver by his car. A lot can be inferred by the condition of a drivers car. A highly dinged and dented car can mean the driver is careless and frequently involved in accidents.

8. Know your car's limits. Know what your car can and can't do, so you can better react to road conditions. If you know your car's breaks don't stop on a dime- increase your following distance. If your car is not fast enough to pull in front of a vehicle- wait until it is safe.

9. Keep your vehicle maintained. I have seen many car accidents caused by vehicle malfunctions. Keep your car in repair- have it regularly tuned up. Keep up to date with new recalls on your vehicle- read any information sent to you by the manufacturer and pay attention to news tips on vehicle malfunctions.

10. Avoid nighttime driving. Lower visibility and a higher drunk-driving rate make the roads particularly dangerous after hours.