Image via Flickr user Bill Dickinson

1. As they say speed thrills and also kills. It is important to keep track on your speed while driving, so that one is in better control of the vehicle. Find out what are the causes that you will speed up? Is there an urge to speed when you have a driver close behind? Or, is it an effort to keep up with the traffic flow. Or, do you just simply enjoy over-taking when you are feeling upset or other emotions? It is especially important to lower speed while nearing schools, on narrow roads, hilly areas, rural areas and when visibility is poor. Wet roads and speed will led to higher chances of getting into an accident.
2. Obey traffic rules. Traffic rules have been designed with safety precaution comes first. It takes into account safety for all, including pedestrians. Follow the lane, and keep the required distance between vehicles. It is important to display appropriate indications/signals especially while changing lanes or before a turn. Follow the traffic rules to lower the risk of getting into accident.
3. Wear seat belts. Seat belts are lifesaving. A statistic has revealed that 63% of those who died in accidents had not strapped on their seat belts. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), lap-shoulder belt systems cut the risk of serious injury and fatality by 50 percent. Seat belts help in protecting the internal organs in a crash as it restrains the forward movement of the body to a great extent. It protects against head and neck injuries by minimizing head contacts and keeps the passenger in place.
4. Pedestrians and children come first. Preference is be given to pedestrians and children crossing the road. Besides that, it is also important to keep a look out for elderly when they cross the road as they tend to walk slower.
5. Read caution signs: Caution signs are very important as they warn about accident prone spots that is ahead so that the driver can reduce the speed of the vehicle. Signboards on the road are vital clues about road design so that the person behind the wheel can exercise caution.
6. Adopt antiskid break systems in the cars. It is to reduce the risk of cars skidding.
7. Air bags in vehicles are a must to cushion the impact in case of accidents.
8. Reflectors to be used on the rear of the vehicle. Ensure all lamps are in working condition. Hazard lamp should be switched on when the vehicle is parked on a highway.
9. Vehicle must be in good working condition. There should be no compromise on the quality of brakes and tyres. Further, it is imperative to inflate tyres with the right air pressure to avoid tyre bursts on road.
10. Roads should be in good condition with proper sign boards. It is vital to install reflectors on roads so that deviations and medians are clearly visible to drivers.
11. Avoid drugs and alcohol while driving.  Drugs and alcohol can slow down reflexes, disrupt accurate judgments, and cause mental alertness to dip. They have been the reason behind many fatal road accidents.
12. Falling asleep behind the wheel has led to many grave mishaps on the road. Drivers must rest well as the lack of it can have an adverse effect on mental alertness, slow down reflexes, and even cause momentary sleepiness behind the wheel. What follows is a disaster.

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