With the goal of making roads as safe as possible, car companies continue to advance their safety features year after year. Although these companies have made incredible strides, driving is still considered one of the most dangerous activities.
Whether you are driving an hour to work or ten minutes to the grocery store, car accidents can happen. There are many factors that play a part in a car accident and, unfortunately, some of them are not in your control. Even if you are the most experienced driver, you cannot control reckless drivers around you.
Drinking and driving
A person who is under the influence is unpredictable and can cause a lot of damage to others on the road. Knowing the signs of a drunk driver, however, could save your life.
A drunk driver may:
- Swerve
- Drift off the road
- Nearly hit other vehicles and objects
- Brake unpredictably
- Drive erratically
The safest thing for you do to is pull over and avoid the vehicle altogether. Once you are safe, call 9-1-1. The sooner you report the vehicle to the police, the safer everyone else will be.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving has become a big problem, forcing many states to implement a hands-free law. Texting and driving is the biggest form of distracted driving. Even though there are laws against it, many drivers are still reaching for their phones.
Distracted driving doesn’t stop there. Many drivers eat, drink and apply makeup when they drive. Distracted driving can lead to slow reaction times and drifting off the road, putting everyone in danger.
Drowsy driving
Many people have gotten behind the wheel while they were drowsy, thinking that it wasn’t a big deal. “[However,] sleep deprivation can have similar effects on your body as drinking alcohol. Being awake for 18 hours straight makes you drive like you have a blood-alcohol level of .05.” Sleep is one of the most important things our brains need to function properly. Without the appropriate amount of sleep, a driver can fall asleep at the wheel without noticing.
If you see a driver that is mimicking the driving of someone under the influence, take your safety into account. Pull over and alert the police. They may be sober, but drowsy driving can also lead to severe accidents.
There are many things you can do to avoid a car accident, but reckless drivers are out of your control. Although it may seem uncomfortable to call the police, it’s better to be safe than sorry. By being able to identify the signs of a reckless driver, you could save someone’s life.