| Defensive driving is always the best thing to do if | | | | drivers who are over the legal limit. I mean, who |
| you want to eliminate road hazards as much as | | | | are you to put us in danger because you can't |
| possible. The reality is this: 90% of all the | | | | restrain yourself from drinking when you are with |
| accidents happen because of drivers' errors or | | | | the car? I know it sounds a little bit harsh, but |
| negligence. Another overwhelming statistic shows | | | | unfortunately this is the reality. And I'm a person |
| that we are likely to go through at least one car | | | | who thinks that accidents which happen because |
| accident in our lifetime. Of course, most of the | | | | someone drove under the influence are actually |
| accidents don't have serious consequences, but it's | | | | not accidents at all, because they could have been |
| not always the case. | | | | easily prevented. In most countries, the legal of |
| As I already pointed out, an astounding 90% of all | | | | BAC (blood alcohol concentration) ranges from |
| the accidents happen because of a human error. | | | | 0.05 to 0.08. |
| The other known causes for accidents are vehicle | | | | BE CAREFUL AT NIGHT |
| problems and faulty road maintenance. Of course, | | | | Just because the road is clearer doesn't mean |
| vehicle problems can also occur because of bad | | | | that you really have to go faster. Driving at night |
| maintenance from the owner's part, so it can be | | | | is much more difficult than during the day, and the |
| put in the human error category on many | | | | reason is obvious: your vision is greatly affected |
| occasions. Now, let's point out some simple | | | | by the darkness. So try to clean up your |
| principles which everyone should respect. | | | | windscreen and drive much more carefully. You |
| KEEP YOUR CAR IN GOOD SHAPE | | | | need a lot more concentration when you are on |
| So, the first prevention method is clear: take | | | | the road at night, because your eyes are very |
| good care of your car! This prevention method | | | | solicited. |
| starts even before going on the road, and don't | | | | FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT |
| make the mistake of neglecting it. Make sure that | | | | Many drivers ignore the seatbelt, although if used |
| you have your car inspected from time to time. | | | | properly it could have saved many lives each |
| Also, check the car's parameters yourself as | | | | year. Make sure that you tighten it as much as |
| often as you can. Check the tires, the oil, the | | | | you can before going on the road. |
| water, etc. | | | | TRY NOT TO TALK ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE |
| TAKE ANNUAL EYE TESTS | | | | Talking on the mobile phone while driving is an |
| I'm sure it's not going to come as a surprise to | | | | important distraction from the road ahead. If you |
| you when I tell that you are not allowed to drive | | | | add to that high speed and/or poor weather |
| with poor eyesight. Even before you driving | | | | conditions, you have a recipe that often leads to |
| license is given, you need to take medical tests, | | | | disaster. You are 4 times more likely to get |
| out of which the most important may be the eye | | | | involved in a car accident if you are talking on |
| test. I mean, a driver who can't see well is a | | | | your mobile phone while driving. |
| danger to all participants to the traffic, not only to | | | | So these are some basic principles that everyone |
| himself. Regular eye tests are a must because | | | | should know. They make up what I like to call |
| the acuity of your eyes can drop as you get | | | | driving common sense, and these prevention |
| older. If this happens, you need to be equipped | | | | measures can drastically decrease your chances |
| with suitable eye glasses, an important thing which | | | | of getting involved in an accident if they are |
| won't make you a hazard while on the road. | | | | respected. So make sure that before you go on |
| DRINK AS MUCH AS YOU WANT, BUT NOT | | | | the road the next time, you respect the |
| WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE CAR | | | | defensive driving advice I've given you. |
| One out of seven road deaths are caused by | | | | |