Top 15 Driver Safety Tips

December 2, 2024 | By Colombo Law

At Colombo Law, we represent people who have been injured in car accidents in Columbus, Cincinnati, and all of Ohio. In addition to serving our clients, we believe it is our duty to advocate for safer roads. Drivers can take the lead by putting safety first when they’re behind the wheel.

Below are a number of driver safety tips that can help reduce your risk of being injured in an accident. We hope they keep you safe when you’re on the road!

Unfortunately, even the most safety-conscious drivers can be injured in car accidents due to the carelessness of other motorists. If you were hurt in a crash caused by someone else, the car accident lawyers at Colombo Law are here to help.

Call 614-362-7000 (Columbus) or 513-599-8841 (Cincinnati) today. Your initial consultation is 100% FREE.

15 Tips for How to Drive Safely

Staying alert and staying aware are two of the most important pieces of advice for any driver. You also need to ensure that your vehicle is in good working order, that you are prepared for unexpected changes in traffic and weather, and you have the necessary supplies in the event of an emergency.

The top safe driving tips that can help you avoid accidents include:

1. Buckle Up—Always

In Ohio, drivers and passengers in the front seat are required to wear seat belts. Seat belts are optional for passengers in the back seat, provided they are 16 years of age or older.

We encourage everyone to wear a seat belt, no matter how old you are or where in the car you’re sitting. Seat belts save lives, and they reduce the risk of being seriously injured in car accidents.

2. Check Your Car Regularly

A wide range of mechanical issues can occur if a vehicle is not properly maintained. This may cause the driver to lose control or stall in the path of oncoming traffic.

Fortunately, you can minimize the risk of an accident by regularly checking and maintaining your vehicle. You can keep your vehicle in tip-top shape by following a few car safety tips:

Keep your tire pressure at or near the manufacturer’s recommended PSI
Check essential fluids (oil, coolant/antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid)
Top off your windshield wiper fluid
Be aware of brake performance and have brakes and brake pads replaced as needed
Make sure your headlights, tail lights, and brake lights work
Inspect tires for punctures and other damage

Be sure to follow the maintenance schedule from the manufacturer for oil changes, rotating tires, etc. You should also be aware of vehicle recalls and promptly take the recommended steps for necessary repairs or replacement of faulty parts.

3. Plan Ahead

Check your phone or watch the local news to learn what kind of weather and traffic you’ll be facing. If necessary, plan out an alternate route before you hit the road.

4. Make an Emergency Kit

Emergency kits won’t prevent accidents, but they can be very helpful after the fact. Keep road flares, a reflective triangle, and other markers in the car so you can notify drivers and direct them away from the accident scene, as well as a first aid kit for any minor injuries.

It is also helpful to have emergency supplies in the car if you are in an accident or stranded in a rural or isolated area. These include warm clothing and blankets, bottled water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, etc.

5. Rest Up Before You Hit the Road

Fatigue is a major cause of auto accidents. Whether you are just driving to work or setting out on a road trip, be sure to get plenty of sleep. This will help you stay focused, remain aware, and be more likely to avoid a crash.

6. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Situational awareness is critical when you’re behind the wheel. You need to be on the lookout for potential hazards—such as other vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, wildlife, objects in the road, etc.—as well as sudden changes that require you to slow down or stop.

For example, rear-end collisions are among the most common types of accidents. Drivers who are aware of their surroundings are much more likely to brake before hitting the back of another vehicle, while those who are less alert will probably hit the vehicle in front of them.

7. Avoid Distractions While Driving

Distracted driving is a major concern on our nation’s roadways. This year alone, more than 6,600 crashes in Ohio have involved some form of distraction. Eighteen of these accidents were fatal, while a further 200 are suspected of resulting in serious injury.

Putting your phone away while driving is a good start, as it will keep you from texting or talking on the phone while driving. It is also important to avoid other distractions, such as loud music, eating and drinking, and interactions with passengers. An experienced lawyer can help you pursue compensation if you were injured in a crash with a distracted driver.

8. Watch Your Speed

Speeding is another common cause of car wrecks. Driving the speed limit can help keep you safe, but it isn’t always enough. You also need to be ready to slow down for traffic congestion, adverse weather, animals crossing the road, etc.

9. Maintain a Safe Distance Between Vehicles

Keeping your distance from the car in front of you is one of the most important driver safety tips. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum distance of 3 seconds between vehicles.

Measuring this distance is easy: Pick out a noticeable landmark (such as a road sign, a tree, a particular building, etc.) and start counting once the car in front of you passes it. If you count to 3 seconds before you reach the landmark you’ve chosen, you are maintaining a safe distance.

10. Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is safe driving. It minimizes unnecessary risks, which in turn reduces the likelihood of being in a car accident.

One of the major tenets of defensive driving is never to assume what another driver is going to do. This mindset will allow you to react appropriately when another motorist does something unexpected, which is sometimes the only way to avoid a crash.

11. Be Aware of Your Blind Spots

You can’t count on your mirrors alone to see vehicles, people, and objects behind and to the side of you. Checking your blind spots is essential for avoiding accidents on highways and multi-lane roads, as well as in driveways and parking lots.

12. Use Your Signals

Signals tell other drivers when you’re going to turn or change lanes. The rule of thumb is to signal 100 feet ahead of a turn, merge, or lane change.

13. Adjust for Road and Weather Conditions

You need to be ready for just about anything when driving. Those who don’t have the greatest risk of being injured in car accidents.

We’ve talked a lot about how to drive safely among other motorists, but paying close attention to the road and weather is also imperative. From potholes and work zones to rain, snow, and sleet, there are a number of conditions you need to be aware of and adjust your driving accordingly.

14. Obey the Rules of the Road

The rules of the road are there to keep everyone safe. Drivers need to abide by Ohio’s motor vehicle laws, as well as exercise caution and common sense.

15. NEVER Drive Under the Influence

From 2019 to the present day, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has recorded 72,293 crashes where the driver was operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI). More than 3,500 of these OVI accidents proved fatal.

Alcohol and drugs seriously impair the ability to drive. Responsible motorists should always avoid driving under the influence.

Injured in a Car Accident? Colombo Law Can Help!

Following our driver safety tips can help keep you and your passengers safe, but there’s no guarantee that other drivers will exercise the same caution. If you or someone you love was injured by a careless driver, our attorneys can help you pursue maximum compensation.

People who are injured in car accidents need to feel confident that their concerns will be heard and their interests represented. At Colombo Law, we pair extensive legal experience with individualized advocacy to fight for the outcome each accident victim deserves.

Contact Colombo Law for a FREE consultation. Our car accident lawyers serve clients in Columbus, Cincinnati, and all of Ohio.