Thursday, March 28, 2024

5 Tips for Avoiding a Head-on Collision While Driving

5 Tips for Avoiding a Head-on Collision While Driving

In 2019, head-on collisions accounted for over half of all passenger vehicle accident deaths. These brutal accidents can have many causes, but the effects are often devastating.

While you’re less likely to be involved in a head-on collision than other types of crashes, it’s important to know how to avoid the severe injuries and fatalities that follow them. Here are the tips you should keep in mind:

  1. Reduce Your Speed

Not only can speeding increase the chances of you losing control of your vehicle, but it also reduces the amount of time you have to react when something goes wrong.

You should never travel faster than the posted speed limit. Be prepared to reduce your speed by a third on wet roads, especially if it started raining in the last half hour, and by half on snow-packed roads. These basic car driving tips can give you a little extra time to avoid causing a head-on collision or to react appropriately if another car crosses into your lane.

  1. Avoid Distraction and Impairment

It takes just a second to distractedly veer out of your lane, but that can be enough to cause a head-on collision. Distracted driving cost 2,841 lives in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. Common culprits include texting, eating or drinking, and playing with the radio.

In addition, you should also follow the most basic rule when it comes to how to drive safely: don’t drive impaired. This not only means no drugs or alcohol, but also no fatigue. You’re three times more likely to be involved in a car crash if you’re tired, as fatigue dulls your reaction times.

  1. Ride in the Right Lane

This is a good tip for avoiding head-on collisions in any location, but it’s especially crucial on a busy highway. Though the right lane is notorious for being slower, sticking to this lane can keep you away from motorists who drift across the center line—meaning you may not have to deal with the trauma of a crash or the paperwork of legal action.

  1. Expect Mistakes From Other Drivers

In general, anyone who wants to know how to avoid car accidents should stick to this tip. You may have learned defensive driving strategies back in drivers’ ed, but it’s worth brushing up on the main philosophy every now and then.

Essentially, defensive drivers don’t trust anyone but themselves. They keep an eye on the road both ahead and behind them, and they keep track of vehicles in their immediate vicinity. Even a few extra seconds of noticing a distracted driver veering into your lane can be crucial.

  1. Catch the Other Driver’s Attention and Evade

When all else fails and you find yourself in the path of a driver straying into your lane, alert them as soon as possible. Honk your horn, flash your lights, and veer away if it’s safe to do so. With any luck, the other driver will jerk back into their lane, leaving you free of serious injuries and vehicle damage.

Be Ready to Avoid a Head-On Collision

The bottom line is that you should always drive defensively, preparing yourself to avoid a head-on collision. While your chances of getting into an accident may be slim, but staying alert is the key to escaping crashes of any kind.

Whether you’re interested in more life-saving tips or simply life-changing ones, you’ll find them on our blog. Check out our other posts to learn more!

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