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Consumer Information: Consumer News: Advice for Accident Avoidance
Advice for Accident Avoidance
The good news is that auto accident rates are declining. A recent study conducted by the Insurance Research Council in Pennsylvania found a 17% drop in auto insurance claims from 1980 to 1998.
But the bad news is that one in 25 drivers will still file an auto accident claim this year. Insurance and collision repair professionals say the following tips can help you avoid being among those involved in an auto accident:
- Slow down – particularly if it is dark, when it is raining or snowing, or when you’re in an unfamiliar area. Don’t feel you have to maintain the posted speed limit; you actually may be speeding if the posted speed limit is too fast for conditions.
- Many accidents occur because of driver distraction. If you’re traveling with someone else, ask them to make any radio or climate control adjustments. Don’t try to read, apply make-up, shave or talk on the phone while you drive; handle these activities before or after your trip – or at least get out of traffic if you must do any of these enroute.
- Don’t drive when you are tired. On long trips, take a break at least every two hours.
- If your vehicle has an anti-lock brake system (ABS), make sure you use it correctly. Before the development of ABS, drivers were taught to "pump" their brakes, especially on wet, icy or other slippery roads. ABS essentially does the pumping for you. This helps you stop the vehicle sooner and straighter. Just apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal. The ABS system will pump the brakes to reduce the risk that your vehicle will skid out of control, and will increase your ability to steer as the vehicle’s speed decreases.
- Know your limits. As you get older, your night vision, peripheral vision and reaction time are not as good as they were when you started driving. Don’t drive at night if you’re uncomfortable. Increase the distance you allow between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Schedule appointments so you’re not on the road during rush hour. These are good suggestions for newer drivers as well.
- Think ahead – and signal your intent. Don’t wait until the last minute to get in the proper lane to exit or make a turn. Be thinking about your options if someone were to swerve in front of you. Use your turn signals and brake lights to avoid surprising other drivers.
- Help prevent road rage. Change lanes when you can to give merging drivers room. Let others pass you. Don’t retaliate if others drive aggressively.
Of course, while you can greatly reduce the risk of being in an accident, you can’t eliminate it entirely. In a book entitled Trends in Auto Injury Claims (1997) by Leonard Evans, statistics show that U.S. drivers end up in a collision on average once every seven years or 56,000 miles.
When that happens, many insurance companies and repair shop associations recommend that you look for a collision repair shop that has earned the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation. I-CAR is the leading international collision repair training organization, and the Gold Class designation indicates that a shop’s employees have completed a significant amount of training. I-CAR training covers virtually every step of the repair process, from writing a complete, accurate estimate, to matching your vehicle’s paint finish. Even more importantly, Gold Class Professionals know how to check, repair or replace safety features such as airbags, seatbelts and anti-lock braking systems.
For the location of an I-CAR Gold Class Professionals business near you, call 800.422.7872.
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Advice for Accident Avoidance ( 50K) in Adobe Acrobat Format
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