There are numerable causes of road accidents these days but the press tend to focus on accidents caused by distracted driving through the use of devices such as tablets or mobile phones; the truth is that there are a lot of other driving habits/behaviours, as well, that should be discouraged in order to maximise road safety.
Speeding is definitely one of the worst habits and drivers caught up in traffic jams, for example, tend to put their foot down once the roads begin to clear in order to make up for lost time. But according to a recent research from the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) situated in the UK, the most frequent contributory factor in road accidents is the “failure to look properly” sometimes combined with the misjudgement of another vehicle’s speed and path. Carelessness, hurrying and recklessness is also cited, and “aggressive driving” is one of the top causes of accidents showed in the research.
What is apparent, above all else, is that human error is still the main cause of accidents. Drivers might get complacent behind the wheel and that’s when inattention starts to creep in. If you combine this with distraction and fatigue, it is clear how important it is that drivers’ maintain their full attention behind the wheel—this is why driving habits should be assessed and rectified if needed, with either the help of technology and/or with a precise policy of continual training and refreshing.
And it is with drivers, driving behaviour and safety in mind, that we’d like to share some road safety tips—a useful reminder of how to maintain a safe attitude on the road which can never be repeated enough.
1 - Drive smoothly and use the steering wheel firmly but not sharply, avoid sudden movements which could potentially lead to losing control of your vehicle.
2 - Anticipate the need to slow down and go through the gears as you decelerate to reduce your speed gradually rather than speeding along and then hitting the brakes suddenly (unless it is an emergency), this way you avoid the wheels locking up and have better control over the vehicle.
3 - Always fasten your seat belt.
4 - Pay attention to the weather and reduce your speed in adverse conditions.
5 - Prevent and anticipate events by maintaining constant attention to the road.
6 - Reduce speeding when turning, or tackling bends, but minimise the use of brakes.
7 - Consider the use of vehicle safety technology, such as fleet dash cams and telematics solutions, that can detect risks before incidents occur
8 - Most of all, keep eyes peeled at all times to avoid accidents...
