Car accidents are on the rise in Canada, according to this study, with a 7.3% increase in road collisions in 2014-15, as compared to 2013. Traffic accidents are also among the leading cause of fatalities for Canadians, aged between 5 to 34.

As a regular car driver, you do not have any control over other driver’s actions, but you can ensure your and your family’s safety on the road by taking a few precautionary steps.

We outline a few driving tips that you can use to keep yourself safe on the roads.

1. Focus on your driving

The majority of road accidents take place when drivers are distracted by cell phones or your kids on the backseat. Avoid distractions by focusing on the road ahead.

2. Always buckle up with your seat belt

Over 50% of injuries can be avoided in a car crash by simply buckling up with your seat belts. Ensure that your family members or passengers are also buckled up when in your car.

3. Avoid driving when intoxicated or fatigued

Driver fatigue is among the leading causes of road accidents in Canada. Avoid driving if you are fatigued or sleepy after a long and hard day of work. Avoid getting behind the wheel if you are intoxicated or have consumed any mind-altering substance. If you are planning a long road trip, ensure that you have adequate sleep and rest before starting the journey.

4. Keep your vehicle maintained

Ensure that you inflate your tires regularly, in order to safely control your vehicles. Low tire pressure or tire blowouts can make you lose control of your vehicle at high speeds. When driving at night, use your high-beam and low-beam headlights appropriately to see the road and to be seen by other drivers. Using daytime running lights are also useful, particularly on a dull or overcast day.

Other maintenance tips for your car include regular checkups and oil changes to prevent breakdown, and to keep your windows, rear-view mirrors, and headlights clean from any dust or debris.

5. Safe driving tips

A) Maintain a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, which can give you additional time and space to react to a possible collision.

B) To avoid rear-end collisions with tailgaters, decrease your speed gradually and move to a safe lane to allow the tailgater vehicle to pass through.

C) Maintain a steady vehicle speed and avoid sudden lane changes to keep yourself safe.

Conclusion

If you want to learn or improve on your car driving, the ministry approved driving schools, such as the Kingston Driving Academy are equipped to teach to drive safely on Canadian roads. Female drivers can also benefit from female driving instructors from the school. If you are from Scarborough, Kingston driving school is among the leading driving schools in Scarborough.

Source: Kingstondrivingacademy.com