How to reduce your chances of a car accident

Here are a few tips that can help reduce your risk of having a car accident.  The one bad thing about car accidents is that, after an accident your premiums go up.

I am not saying you shouldn't talk on the phone.  Handfree calls are a lot safer than holding the phone.  When driving with a phone in your hand, you are really distracted.  One hand is on the phone and the other is on the wheel.  You are greatly reducing your chance to react to any problem that come up on the road.

Do you really check your mirrors?  I do.  Mainly because I am not the only one that drives my car.  After driving for a couple years, chances are a lot your actions are on autopilot.  For example you want to get in the next lane, you check your mirrors and blind spot.  If you don't see anything you proceed to change the lane you are driving in.  Think for a second, what would you do if the mirror was not properly adjusted.  Was there a delay?  Probably so, depending on the circumstances you may take the next lane or not.  That can be problematic.

If you have a person in the car that is distracting you, it is your responsibility to stop this. In the end, you are at fault if you run into someone because your friend yells some nonsense in your ear because, 'it's funny.' I had a few friends that got pissed off at me for kicking them out of the car for being silly. This may seem harsh but loosing the ability to drive because of stupidity is not worth it.

If a light is red, just respect it. A red light doesn't mean stop only if you don't see anyone else. I have seen more people violate this law then anything else. I have been in a major accident. Accidents happen. Don't rush to get into one. Physical therapy sucks.

Another thing I see is people ride the wrong way on a one way street. Just because the sign says one way, it doesn't mean your way. Don't be a jerk, there is nothing worst than turning a corner into a one way street and seeing someone staring you in the face. This is where I start loosing faith in humanity. Just kidding.:)