One moment you are enjoying your car ride, and the next moment you are propelled forward and your face slammed into the airbag after hitting the vehicle in front of you. Car accidents happen in fractions of a second and can cause lasting emotional and physical damage.
While there is no formula to avoid all car accidents 100%, there are still some tips we can follow to reduce your chances.
Here is a list of the three most common types of car accidents and the steps you can take to prevent them.
1. Rear collisions
What are they?
Rear collisions are one of the most common types of accidents that occur in Australia. These accidents occur when a stationary vehicle is struck by another car that is moving at high speed.
Its severity can be different depending on the collision speed of the vehicle and can cause lasting damage to the passenger and drivers of both vehicles. Common causes of these accidents are following closely, distracted driving, panic stops, mechanical failures, etc.
How can these accidents be avoided?
These are some of the easiest accidents to avoid. Here are some tips you can follow to avoid these types of accidents:
- Keep your distance while driving
- Drive strategically depending on the situation.
- Keep your focus while driving
- Do not drive under the influence
When driving, you should keep a distance of about 2 meters from the car in front. This is especially necessary for severe weather conditions when cars stop abruptly due to poor visibility, crosswalks, speed switches, etc.
Sometimes there are situations, especially in traffic jams, where you have to make sudden stops; in such cases, make sure the speed is within limits so that even if you have to make sudden stops, the vehicle in the rear can be ready.
Driving is a high risk activity; therefore, it is essential that you give your full attention to the task at hand and that you keep your eyes on the road. Also, the driver should avoid activities such as calling, texting or eating while on the road.
Whether you are sleepy, have taken certain medications, or have drunk too much alcohol, in these cases it is best to call a taxi and avoid driving altogether.
2. Damage to parked vehicles
What are they?
Parked car damage is one of those accidents that occurs when another car collides with a parked vehicle. Surprisingly, this damage is not caused by the negligence of the parked car owner, but it can result in costly repairs.
How can these accidents be avoided?
So whether you leave your car in a parking lot or on the road, here are some guidelines that you can use to save your car from this type of accident.
- Park in a strategic place
- Park right between the parking lines
- If you have a garage, park there.
Choose a parking spot that is away from heavy traffic. Instead of choosing a busy place to park your car, try to locate an area away from the hustle and bustle and park your car there. Pro Tip: Avoid parking near intersections, driveways, or sharp turns.
This will provide your vehicle with a cushion on both sides and reduce the chances of being hit by another car while parking.
The safest place in your facility may be your garage; it is away from the main street and is secured by a gate 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 might be vehicles that go off the road, collide with a stationary object such as a post or railing, or overturn.
How can these accidents be avoided?
These accidents are mainly due to loss of control while accelerating and therefore can be easily avoided by following the tips below:
- Drive right according to the weather
- Always focus on the road
- Driver under the speed limit
Different climates can make driving more risk-prone. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your vehicle is well equipped to deal with them. So make sure you have the right tires for the road, that your vehicle is well maintained, that the windshield wipers are working, etc.
Just because you are driving on an empty road does not mean that you can be distracted by the phone. The driver must have his full attention on the road to avoid sudden changes.
Speeding has been linked to a third of all fatal car accidents. Therefore, even if no one is around, driving below the speed limit can save many lives.
Although it is true that sometimes, however cautious we are, accidents can happen. But if you keep the tips mentioned above in mind, you can be more aware of its flaws, which will help you develop an improved driving style. Therefore, the chances of road accidents in the future are reduced.