Drive Safely to Avoid an Accident
You should aim to be a responsible and safe driver. In addition to following all state traffic laws, you should consider the following safety tips:
CAR
Stay sober. Alcohol, as well as certain over-the-counter medications and prescription medications, can significantly increase the chances of an accident. Your coordination, reflexes and judgment are not as effective.
Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. While most federal data on distracted driving accidents involves phone or infotainment system usage, you should also consider that many other distracting actions can increase the risk of a wreck. Avoid eating while driving. Pull over if you want to eat a meal. The same is true if you cannot find the song you want to listen to or if you need to apply makeup. Conversations can help pass the time, but also increase the risk of an accident. This is especially true for minors and inexperienced drivers.
Keep your vehicle maintained. Your vehicle can quickly become unsafe if you do not perform regular maintenance. Make sure your tires, brakes and moving parts are in working order. You should also determine whether your vehicle has an unfixed safety recall, as defective auto parts could lead to serious injuries or death. NHTSA’s website also allows you to check for open recalls.
BICYCLE
Always wear protective gear. You should wear a helmet that fits properly. Additionally, you should only buy helmets that meet the safety requirements for the state you reside in. Your bicycle helmet should meet federal safety standards.
Make yourself more visible. You should maximize your visibility whether you are driving during the day or night. Wear bright clothing. Consider using reflective tape. In fact, one very effective safety tip is to have a special set of biking shoes with reflective tape attached to the back of your soles. This lets motorists know they are approaching a cyclist.
Stay focused. If you are in a bad mood or are distracted, then you should avoid cycling until you feel better. Cycling should hold 100 percent of your focus. Using a phone, listening to music with both ears covered or even taking a sip from a water bottle could lead to an accident. You should consider pulling over somewhere safe if you need to perform a potentially distracting task.
Follow the law. Florida has multiple laws that help protect the safety of cyclists. You should follow traffic laws at all times. If you are new to cycling, then you should consider training with a professional organization or practicing with someone who has more cycling experience. There are also state laws that help protect cyclists who are riding with their children.