Driver Safety: Avoiding a Car Accident Before it Happens

Road accidents happen… and they happen frequently. Accidents have become so regular that they can be seen on practically every roadway in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 36,750 individuals were killed in car accidents in 2018. According to a poll, intoxicated drivers, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt were the leading causes of crashes.

According to a 2016 survey, the United States has more persons killed in auto accidents each year than other high-income countries. Almost 18,000 lives may have been saved if the US had taken the necessary actions to minimize the death rate, according to the same analysis.

The most concerning aspect of crashes is that the majority of them are avoidable. You can avoid car accidents and make roadways safer this year with a concentrated mind, a little caution, and the following advice.

Always Use Your Seatbelt

Seatbelts saved about 14,955 lives in 2017. Nearly half of all drivers and passengers killed in auto accidents were not wearing seatbelts.

Seat belts can reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The danger is reduced by 60 to 65 percent for light truck drivers. Wearing a seat belt during a collision is one of the most effective strategies to save lives and reduce the risk of injury. Despite this, millions of drivers and passengers fail to wear their seatbelts.

When it comes to aggressive, inebriated, or inattentive drivers, seat belts are your best defense. Being strapped up during a car accident can assist keep you secure and safe inside your vehicle, as being thrown fully from your vehicle can be fatal.

Avoid Distractions

In 2017, 3,166 people died as a result of distracted driving. When a driver is distracted, it only takes 3 seconds for a crash to occur.

Distractions include texting or talking on the phone, eating, drinking, conversing with others passengers in the car, and messing with the music or navigation system. In fact, texting is the most distracting activity. Did you know that using a cellphone increases the risk of a heavy equipment crash by six times when compared to driving while inebriated?

Don’t Drink and Drive

• In 2017, about one person died in a drunk-driving accident every 48 minutes in the United States.
• Every year, more than 10,000 people are killed in drunk-driving accidents.
• Drunk-driving-related deaths and losses cost $44 billion in 2010.

(Source)

When you drink or use drugs, your judgment is affected and you lose your ability to function, which raises your chances of getting into an accident. If you are discovered drinking and driving, you will not only face a hefty fine, but you may also face jail time and have your license suspended for at least a year, depending on the state you are caught in. Avoid drinking and driving in order to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.

Obey the Speed Limit

• Speeding killed 9,717 individuals in 2017, accounting for over 26% of all road fatalities.
• One of the leading causes of traffic accidents is speeding.

(Source)

Speeding is dangerous not only to you, but to everyone else on the road. Speed limits on various state highways might range from 50 to 85 miles per hour, therefore it’s critical to stick to the specified speed limit. When driving in inclement weather, such as rain or snow, or in bumper-to-bumper traffic, remember to reduce your speed.

Attend a Defensive Driving Course

If you’re a field service operations manager or owner, giving your drivers defensive driving 101 training and educating them on the dangers of aggressive driving will help you avoid accidents on the road.

Even the best drivers, with the most extensive training and cutting-edge safety devices, might be involved in an accident. You should also inform your staff about the best procedures to follow after an accident in order to appropriately handle the aftermath of the collision, such as injuries, paperwork, invoices, and car repairs.

Perform Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Breakdowns can be avoided with regular car maintenance and inspections. Regularly inspecting tires, car lights, brakes, tires, and engines will help you avoid sudden stalls or vehicle breakdown. Make sure your car has a first-aid kit and that you have enough insurance coverage to protect you in the event of an accident.

Use of a Route Optimizer

According to a survey, in 2013, roughly 78 percent of American drivers were involved in at least one reckless driving incident. Providing drivers with an optimal and simple-to-follow route with turn-by-turn directions is an effective method for reducing driver stress and the risk of stress-related incidents on the road. Your drivers will be more aware of potential hazards and prepared to deal with them.

EasyRoutes Route Optimizer

EasyRoutes is a local delivery route planner tool that makes planning a route a breeze. After that, you can either share your routes with drivers or deliver them yourself using our mobile-friendly driver mode.

Shopify and EasyRoutes work together effortlessly. You will no longer need to waste time exporting and importing spreadsheets. Simply select the orders you’d want to deliver, and EasyRoutes will figure out the most cost-effective delivery route for you.