Georgia Road Safety Guide | Staying Out of Car Accidents

There are more cars on the road than ever and people seem to forget that they are piloting a two ton piece of metal. Even taking into account all of the others cars careening around yours, there are a multitude of dangers to be aware of right in front of you.

1. Distractions: We are a mobile society so we spend a lot of time in our cars and in short, we get bored. How many times have you passed someone, fixing their makeup, searching the floorboard for a lost CD, or playing with their phone? Texting is causing more and more deaths among teens because our brains are not set up to both edit and respond to text on a keypad while watching for obstructions on the road at high speed. Why take the chance? Be aware of your surroundings and use the quiet time to relax, you will be safer and more productive in the long run.

2. Drunk Driving: We always believe we are capable of driving home regardless of the staggering quantities of alcohol we may have ingested. Considering how many of those drivers go on to wreck their car should illustrate just how impaired their judgement was. It goes beyond judgement though. Your reflexes are slowed to the point that you cannot properly judge distance and speed quickly enough to avoid an accident. Do yourself and the other drivers a favor and call a cab or arrange for a designated driver before the party starts.

3.  Vehicle maintenance: Maintenance of a vehicle should be an ongoing concern and it is something that many people take for granted. Tire pressure should be checked on a weekly or at least monthly basis. Your tire can be punctured by a nail or other road debris and deflate in an explosive manner. It can be very hard to maintain control of your car in this situation especially if it happens in a turn. Check your radiator and break fluids regularly to help prevent your car over heating or in the worst case your breaks failing. Your automobile is only a collection of moving parts and only through proper maintenance of those parts can you endure the safety of you and your passengers

4. Inclement weather: In an emergency you will sometimes have to brave the elements in order to get to your destination. That cannot be help but you should be aware of what you will be facing. Driving in snowy condition with a strong wind and black ice will be far different from driving at night in flash flood waters. So check the weather before you head out and know what to be on the look out for.

These are just a few of the things that you can do to avoid automobile accidents. It may seem over cautious but it is better than becoming tied up in costly litigation or the pain and suffering of a hospital stay.