Millions of people will be traveling this holiday season, which means that there is going to be a lot of traffic on the roads. In this blog, we have put together a list of tips to help you proactively avoid a holiday auto accident. Although there's nothing you can do to control other people's driving, taking these steps can drastically reduce your chances of having your holiday ruined by a preventable accident.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road, don’t stare at it. Your eyes should be constantly moving as you drive – glance at your side mirrors, your rearview mirror, and at the flow of traffic and cars around you. Always keep an eye out for others to anticipate their movements and ensure that you are prepared to react.
- Keep a safe following distance. It is important to leave at least three car lengths between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Not only does this reduce your chance of a rear-end accident in case the car in front of you needs to brake suddenly, but it will also give you greater visibility of the cars around you and give you enough space to make a safe lane change.
- Aim high in steering. Instead of just focusing on the car in front of you, look as far down the road as possible to see what they see. This keeps your car centered in your lane and allows you to more effectively monitor what is going on around you.
- Avoid driving in blind spots. Make sure other drivers see you by using your headlights, signals, and your horn if it becomes necessary, and never drive in a vehicle’s blind spot.
- Leave yourself an out. Surround your vehicle with enough space to leave yourself a way out to escape conflict. Never put yourself into a trap where a collision is unavoidable because you didn’t leave yourself anywhere to go.
Taking these steps can make all the difference to your holiday travel plans. We hope you find these tips helpful and that you and your family enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!
The Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley is a Northern California personal injury law firm accepting auto accident cases in Chico, Roseville, Sacramento, Redding, and throughout the greater Northern California area. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact our firm to discuss your legal options.