One moment you are enjoying your car ride, and the next moment you are jolted forward with your face slamming against the airbag after hitting the vehicle in front of you. Car accidents happen in split seconds and can cause lasting emotional and physical damages.
While there is no formula to 100% avoid all car accidents, there are still some tips we can follow to reduce their chances.
Here we present you a list of the three most common types of car accidents and steps you can take to prevent them.
1. Rear-end collisions
What are they?
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of accidents that occur in Australia. These accidents occur when a stationary vehicle is hit by another car moving at high speeds.
Their severity can be different depending on the vehicle’s colliding speed and can cause lasting damages to the passenger and drivers in both of the cars. The common causes of these accidents are tailgating, inattentive driving, panic stops, mechanical faults, etc.
How can these accidents be avoided?
These are some of the easiest accidents to avoid. Here are few tips you can follow to avoid such accidents:
- Keep distance while driving
- Drive strategically depending on the situation
- Keep your focus while driving
- Don’t drive under the influence
When driving, you should keep a distance of approximately 2 meters from the car in front. This is especially necessary for severe weather conditions when cars stop abruptly due to lack of visibility, pedestrian crossing, speed breakers, etc.
Sometimes there are situations, especially in traffic jams, where you have to make abrupt stops; in such cases, make sure the speed is within limits so even if you have to make abrupt stops, the vehicle on the rear end can be ready.
Driving is a high-risk activity; therefore, it’s essential to give your full attention to the task at hand and keep your eyes on the road. In addition, the driver should avoid activities such as calling, texting, or eating while on the road.
Whether you are sleepy, have taken certain medicines, or had way too much alcohol, in these cases, it’s best to call a cab and avoid driving altogether.
2. Parked Car Damage
What are they?
Parked car damage is one of those accidents that occur when another car hits a parked vehicle. Surprisingly this damage is not caused by the parked car owner’s negligence but can result in expensive repairs.
How can these accidents be avoided?
So, whether you are leaving your car in a parking lot or on the road, here are few guidelines you can use to save your car from this type of accident.
- Park at a strategic location
- Park right between the parking lines
- If you have a garage, park it there
Choose a parking spot that is away from heavy traffic. Instead of choosing a busy space to park your car try locating an area far from the hustle and bustle and park your car there. Pro tip: avoid parking near intersections, driveways, or tight turns.
This will provide your vehicle with a cushion from both sides and will reduce the chances of getting hit by another car while parking.
The safest spot on your premises can be your garage; it is away from the main street and is secured by a door to avoid such accidents.
3. Single Vehicle Accidents
What are they?
Single vehicle accidents are accidents in which only one vehicle is involved. Some examples can be vehicles running off the road, hitting a stationary object such as a pole or a guardrail, or flipping over.
How can these accidents be avoided?
These accidents are caused primarily due to losing control while speeding, and hence can be avoided easily by following tips below:
- Drive right according to the weather
- Always focus on the road
- Driver under the speed limit
Different weathers can make driving more risk-prone. Hence it’s crucial to make sure your vehicle is well equipped to deal with them. So make sure you have got the right tyres for the road, your vehicle is well maintained, have working windshield wipers, etc
Just because you are driving on an empty road doesn’t mean you can be distracted on the phone. A driver should have all his attention on the road to avoid sudden changes.
Speeding has been linked to one-third of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. Therefore even if no one is around, driving under the speed limit can save many lives.
Though it’s is indeed true that sometimes no matter how cautious we are, accidents may still happen. But by keeping the tips mentioned above in mind, you can become more aware of your shortcomings, which will help you develop an improved driving style. Hence, reducing the chances of road accidents in the future.
