Being part of an incident on the road is common when driving. Keep reading this post by AMSOIL: Cerberus Systems, Inc. in Chambersburg, PA, to learn the common reasons for accidents and how to prevent them. 

Keeping yourself and others safe on the road should be your top priority as a driver whenever you get behind the wheel. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, car crashes are the reason for over 38,000 deaths every year in the United States. These numbers are alarming and more so when we realize they don’t consider people who are badly injured when on the road. This is why, as drivers, it’s essential to be aware of the reasons for accidents to try and prevent them.

Keeping up with your car’s maintenance is part of being a responsible driver. If you need advice on the best products for your vehicle, call Cerberus Systems, Inc. at (717) 658-1256 and to place an order, visit AMSOIL’s online shop anytime!

Getting Distracted

Being distracted while driving is possibly one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. We can’t gloss over how hazardous it is to be distracted even for a few seconds, as road conditions can rapidly change. Things like talking with someone while driving, texting, or fidgeting with the radio can cause you to get distracted. It’s essential to give the road your full attention while driving to avoid accidents because of a distraction.

Not Following Traffic Signs and Rules

It’s hard to overstate the importance of following traffic signs and rules when driving. Sometimes, distracted driving can cause us not to follow them to a T, but sometimes, being in a rush or thinking you know the road well can also cause you to skip vital traffic signs or ignore rules meant to keep you and others on the road safe. Traffic signs are placed strategically on the road to keep not only you and other drivers safe but also pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders. Speed limits, yield signs, speed bumps, as well as the rules of the road are designed intentionally to keep communities safe.

Not Keeping Up With the Vehicle’s Maintenance

Another one of the common reasons for accidents is not maintaining your vehicle correctly. If you’ve kept up with your vehicle’s maintenance, it’s less likely to break down on the road. Problems like blowing a tire, overheating, and other malfunctions are usually caused by a vehicle not getting enough or timely maintenance. These aren’t just problems for the driver but can also put others on the road at risk. Avoid your car breaking down on your commute or road trip by having a regular maintenance routine that catches any vehicle problems before they become issues that are harder or more expensive to fix.

Having a car in good condition is critical to avoiding most of the common reasons for accidents. Learn about the best products on the market like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil from the experts at Cerberus Systems, Inc. Give them a call at  (717) 658-1256 or visit AMSOIL’s online shop to place an order anytime.

Driving Fatigue

Driving fatigue is another common reason for car accidents as it has effects similar to driving under the influence. Driving tired can cause longer reaction times and difficulty paying attention to the road. If you feel tired while driving, it’s a good idea to pass the driving responsibilities to another person, or if that’s not an option, take a break somewhere safe where you can stretch and walk around to get your blood moving. If this doesn’t work, sometimes it’s best to stop for the day and sleep before continuing your driving. +

Not Paying Attention to the Weather

Weather is another essential factor to pay attention to when driving. Harsh weather conditions like heavy rainfall, high winds, and snow are common reasons for accidents. These weather events can cause different types of accidents, from your car aquaplaning, which is when your tires lose their grip on the road, to making it hard to see the road in front of you. If you encounter these types of weather while driving, it’s best to slow down and pay extra attention to the road or stop altogether until the weather clears up.

Driving Under the Influence

Last but not least, driving under the influence, whether it's alcohol or drugs, should be avoided at all costs as it can impair your senses, slow your reaction time, and sometimes make you lose control of your body. If this is the case, it’s best to avoid driving and turn over the keys to someone sober.

The oil experts at Cerberus Systems, Inc. can advise you on the best products for your vehicle. Give them a call at (717) 658-1256 today!