Most Californians have experienced a minor fender bender or scrape on the side of a car door. These incidents generally fade to the background as quickly as they occurred, leaving no major consequences in terms of car repair or driver safety.
Not all drivers leave accidents unscathed, however, as some prove to be incredibly dangerous. The information below discusses some recent precautionary steps taken to reduce the number of car crashes, as well as other preventative methods drivers can keep in mind on the next road trip.
New Regulations
Just this week, USA Today shared that backup cameras are now a required part of new cars in the country. The federal regulation, freshly instilled, aims to protect children and pedestrians that are commonly overlooked as drivers fail to fully observe rearview mirrors. Although Congress passed a law in 2008 which pushed technology that made cars safer overall, the backup camera requirement has only now taken effect. USA concludes by reminding readers that backover crashes claim more than 200 lives a year.
Further Precautionary Methods
Fortunately, one does not have to own a brand new car to practice safe driving methods. Consumer Reports lists a few ways drivers can avoid car accidents, first warning readers of the dangers of buzzed or drunk driving. Alcohol-impaired driving was the cause of 12,000 deaths in 2012 alone. And although technology has made many aspects of life safer, it can also pose a major safety threat when drivers become distracted by cell phones and other devices. CR also notes a lesser-discussed factor involved in accidents: driving the wrong car. Driving a well-maintained and safe vehicle can reduce one’s chances of a crash. It may be easy to forget these safety measures amidst the thrill of the journey, but the end goal is to keep enjoying those trips on the road.
