Auto accidents happen every day on the roadways. An estimated 6 million vehicle collisions occur in the United States every year. That’s 500,000 accidents a month and 125,000 a week. Over 1,000 Georgians lost their lives in a traffic accident in 2014, and research suggests that number is only going to climb. If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, your chances of an accident are even higher.
To make sure your Atlanta auto insurance is up to code, visit CoverHound. We’ll help you get your insurance in order.
How to be a Proactive Driver
Traffic accidents never fail to remind us about the temporality of our lives. We grow up thinking (hoping) that we’ll live to be 100 and die warm in our beds, surrounded by friends and family who love us; but there’s no guarantee that’s how we’ll live out our final moments. The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) tells us that over 37,000 Americans die every year in a car crash, with over 2 million sustaining life-altering injuries.
Atlanta ranks in the Top 10 worst cities for traffic. And what does more traffic mean for motorists? More accidents. The Top 10 causes of car accidents in Atlanta are:
Good news: a majority of these causes are avoidable, all it takes is a little discipline. Together, let’s go through each accident scenario and learn how it can be avoided.
Distracted Driving: This accident type is caused when the driver of the vehicle, is texting, speaking on the phone, talking to passengers or fiddling with the radio. Using your cell phone and driving is illegal. If you are still having a hard time not putting the phone down, turn it off (or on silent) and place it in the rear of your vehicle. If you don’t have the mobile device to look at, you won’t be tempted to check it.
Speeding/Traffic Lights/Road Signage: This is as easy as simply following the rules of the road. Drive the speed limit, obey the traffic signals and read the signage. You will be warned of curvy roads, rockslides and/or poor road conditions. Obeying the rules will help you to be a safer driver.
Drinking and Driving: If you know you are going out and will be having a few cocktails, ask a friend to be a designated driver or hail a taxi. Never under any circumstances get behind the wheel after you have had a drink. According to The Washington Post, if you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.05, your chances of getting in an accident increase by 100 percent. To get home safe, all you need is a sober driver.
Reckless Driving: To protect yourself from an accident, use your signals, check your blindspots and come to a complete stop at stop signs. Don’t tailgate the motorist ahead of you or make unsafe lane changes.
Inclement Weather: If you can, avoid driving in the rain, snow or hail. The roadways will be slippery and your tires and breaks less forgiving.
Inexperienced Teenage Drivers: This is a tough one to help, as you can’t control the drivers around you. We suggest being aware of your surroundings and the other vehicles on the road. Watch out for any odd vehicle behavior.
Driving After Dark: If you can help it, don’t drive once the sun goes down. Our range of vision is decreased after dark, making it difficult to avoid unsafe maneuvers.
Motor Vehicle Malfunction: Take your vehicle in for its regular oil change and checkups, and never ignore the engine light.
Taking the proper roadside precautions can decrease your chances of an accident. If you follow our safety tips, you’ll be a safer driver. Learn the types of car insurance quotes safe driving yields at CoverHound today.
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