10 Tips for Avoiding Auto Accidents

1. Avoid drinking and driving.

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2. Minimize distractions such as reading newspapers or talking on the cell phone when driving.

3. Properly maintain vehicles. Tune up cars according to maintenance schedule, and especially take note monthly of tire condition.

4. Do not encourage aggressive drivers. Let other aggressive driving behavior roll off your back, or call the police. Losing your temper could worsen the situation.

5. Leave a safe distance between your cars and others. For every 10 miles per hour of speed, leave at least one car length space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

6. Maintain a constant speed. Don’t continually slow down or speed up.

7. Adjust mirrors properly and check the side and rear-view mirrors every 15 seconds.

8. Take defensive driving classes to improve your ability to drive and be better prepared for the unpredictable behavior of other motorists.

9. Proceed with great caution through intersections. Intersections are the center of most accidents. When entering an intersection, look left, then right, then left again to ensure the area is clear.

10. Be sufficiently aware of road conditions and be more visible. Keep your lights on at dusk and dawn and during rain, as is the law in most states. Understand basic vehicle dynamics, such as knowing how to recover from a skid.

Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), in Des Plaines, Ill.

Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline.