You do everything you can to ensure your actions behind the wheel are safe: from the simple task of buckling your seatbelt to the conscious efforts to maintain awareness of all the drivers sharing the road with you. But what happens when other drivers do not do the same? Unfortunately, there is little you can do to make sure other drivers are holding themselves to the same level of responsibility as you. Still, there are several precautions to take so that you can keep yourself safe from distracted driving, both from your own behaviors and others’.
Defensive Driving
This is the best way to keep yourself safe from any dangerous drivers, no matter what may be taking their attention away from the road. Defensive driving involves the identification of possible hazards and making conscious decisions to avoid these hazards. For instance, the most effective defensive driving techniques include:
- The assumption that all drivers will likely run red lights and ignore standard rules of the road
- Maintaining a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, in case they come to a sudden stop
- Monitoring the activity of other drivers around you by continuously checking the rear- and side-view mirrors
Though it may seem quite pessimistic, these are the best ways to keep yourself safe from any unexpected occurrences. Instead of being caught off guard by poor driving habits, you’ll have already accommodated for the likelihood of an incident and taken the necessary precautions to mitigate it.
Put All Mobile Devices Away
This serves two purposes: it allows you to remain vigilant and attentive to the behaviors of other drivers on the road but also protects others from your negligence. Always devote your full attention to driving – nothing else is as important as keeping your eyes on the road when you’re behind the wheel. Avoid the temptation of checking your phone while you’re stopped at traffic lights and stop signs.
Though it may seem inconsequential, you never know what dangers are present – after all, your vehicle is not immune to being rear-ended while at a full stop. Place your phone in the glove compartment or a purse to help yourself avoid the habit of scrolling through social media and text messages.
Manage Activity of Passengers in the Car
You don’t want to overload your vehicle with too many people (or pets!). Doing so may cause significant distractions, and may even block your vision from mirrors or windows. Minimize the number of passengers you transport at any given time, and make sure they are all buckled in properly. While this will protect them from injury in case of a collision, it will also serve to prevent any excessive movement.
The sad reality is that, even with all these efforts, you may still be struck by a distracted driver. If you have been injured due to another individual’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation. Get in contact with an expert accident lawyer today to achieve a smooth recovery following a collision with a distracted motorist.
