With over 6 million motor vehicle accidents happening each year in the United States, it is important to understand what you can do to help prevent yourself from experiencing one. While some incidents only cause minor issues, others can result in life-altering injuries and even death. In the state of New York especially, there is a high amount of traffic and highways that can lead to accidents. Here are some tips on how to keep you out of harm's way as a driver:
1. Know your car's blind spots
One of the most important things you can do is properly adjust your mirrors. You want to be able to see clearly all around you. At the same time, you also must always turn your head before making lane changes to ensure that you are not missing something that is in your blind spot. Be sure to realize that cars around you also have blind spots and may not see your car either.
2. Always scan ahead
Be aware of the traffic and activity of the cars around you. Do not just look at the car in front of you as you might miss important information happening to your left or right. You also should be looking far ahead at the cars in front of the vehicle that you are driving behind. This will help you stop far enough in advance if they come to a sudden halt.
3. Stay out of the "fast lane"
Not only do cops more commonly patrol the carpool and fast lanes on the freeway, you are also much more susceptible to accidents. There are not a lot of ways to escape from the fast lane and if someone were to pull over into your lane, you cannot move out of the way. This lane is one of the most common places for a car accident to occur.