| Car accidents occur every two minutes in the UK, | | | | right lane to have more chance to escape |
| causing numerous personal injuries. Car drivers | | | | problems that occur. |
| need to become more responsible while on the | | | | Beware of blind spots: adjust your mirrors so that |
| road to protect themselves and other drivers | | | | you can see behind you. |
| from road traffic accidents. | | | | Drive with your hands in the nine and three |
| The most obvious way to avoid car accidents is | | | | o'clock position. This enables maximum vehicle |
| to pay more attention and to not do two things | | | | control to avoid car accidents. |
| at the same time. Using phones in the car, even | | | | Know what your car can deal with on the road: |
| with a remote headset, is an easy way to | | | | pay attention to how your car reacts in particular |
| accelerate the possibility of a car accident. | | | | situations and in response to certain road |
| Trying not to do several things at the same time | | | | conditions. Other things to watch out for include |
| is another way to avoid a vehicle accident. | | | | tyre grip and bald tyres. |
| Multi-tasking while driving often leads to more | | | | Avoid driving at night. Although there may be less |
| road traffic accidents. Listening to the radio, using | | | | traffic on the road, fatigue and decreased field of |
| the phone, driving and eating definitely creates | | | | vision can also cause car accidents. Only drive at |
| hazards. | | | | night if you are feeling awake. |
| Although many people think that drinking a lot of | | | | Pay even more attention than normal at junctions |
| coffee is a good way to stay awake on the road, | | | | or intersections. Over 65 per cent of road traffic |
| drinking too much can also dehydrate you, make | | | | accidents occur at junctions. Look around carefully. |
| you need the toilet more frequently and if drunk | | | | Dangerous roads with ice, snow, fog and rain |
| in excessive amounts, will not keep you as awake | | | | require slower speeds and greater caution. |
| as you think. | | | | Leave plenty of space around trucks, |
| Too much coffee can cause "coffee nerves" and | | | | long-distance vehicles and farming vehicles like |
| make drivers jittery and jumpy. This can make | | | | tractors. |
| driving habits and patterns erratic and abnormal. | | | | Keep plenty of space between you and the car in |
| Along with becoming more aware, there are | | | | front. |
| things that car drivers can do to look after | | | | Get rid of any distractions like talking on the |
| themselves on the road. The following list has | | | | phone, reading newspapers and changing stations |
| things that motoring organisations like the AA and | | | | on the radio. |
| the RAC say drivers should be aware of to | | | | Watch other drivers on the road and look at their |
| prevent car accidents: | | | | cars. If a driver has a dirty car and is not taking |
| Check your car on a regular basis to make sure | | | | care of their car, it may mean that they are |
| that it is mechanically sound. Do the obvious, and | | | | inattentive on the road too. |
| repair anything that is broken or which needs to | | | | Keep your car clean - clean the headlights and the |
| be mended. | | | | windscreen regularly and keep cleaning materials in |
| Prepare your car for bad weather conditions by | | | | your car. |
| having seasonal checks (e.g. for anti-freeze) and | | | | Keep to the speed limit. |
| carrying necessary equipment like ice scrapers in | | | | Use the safety devices like headrests on your car |
| the car. | | | | properly to avoid neck and back injuries from |
| Most car accidents occur in the left hand lane. | | | | whiplash in the event of a car accident. |
| Avoid the left hand lane and use the centre or | | | | |