Auto accidents can usually be prevented but at times there just unavoidable. So, what can you do to make sure that you’re being safe as possible? Here are a few tips on the most common causes of accidents which all drivers in Reno should try to avoid.

According to an article at westernautobody.com, “How to Avoid a Collision Center”

“Auto accidents account for some of the highest accidental deaths in America.  Most auto accidents are caused by careless drivers, and can easily be prevented.  This article will examine the top five leading causes of auto accidents and how they can be prevented.

1.  Distracted Drivers

Cause of accident:  Make up, cell phones, food, and the morning newspaper are all common ways that drivers get distracted.  Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers since their focus is often on their distractions instead of the road and other drivers.

Solution:  Put on makeup, eat, and read the paper before you leave in the morning instead of trying to multitask.  If you must use a cell phone while driving consider using a wireless Bluetooth device, the device will make sure that both of your hands will be on the wheel instead of on the phone.  Eating while driving is also dangerous and should only be done when necessary.

2.  Drunk Driving

Cause of accident:  Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction times, which makes accidents much more likely for someone intoxicated rather than sober.

Solution:  We all know that drunk driving is bad, so why do people still do it?  Drinking and driving not only puts you at risk, but also puts other innocent drivers at risk.  A lot of times people think; that they can still drive fine because they only had a couple of drinks but, having a couple of drinks can still put you over the limit  When going out drinking be sure to have a designated driver or take a cab to avoid getting behind the wheel.

3.  Being an aggressive driver

Cause of accident:  Being an aggressive driver instead of being a defensive driver puts you at risk for getting in accidents.

Solution:  Take a defensive driving course and use common sense to keep speed down and to keep a safe distance between vehicles.

4.  Road rage

Cause of accident:  Drivers who get angry easily and then take it out on other drivers are one of the leading causes of accidents.  It’s usually caused by someone cutting you off or pulling out in front of you, and most of the time it’s probably unintentional.  Speeding and tailgating is usually involved.

Solution:  A defensive driving course and a general change of attitude will help any driver that is guilty of road rage.  I admit I have had road rage at one point or another, but having road rage is dangerous and takes your focus off the road and onto aggressive driving.

5.  Regular car maintenance

Cause of accident: Car parts, such as brake lines, tires, and engines can fail at opportune times while driving, which can cause accidents.

Solution:  Keeping up with routine auto maintenance, checking the oil levels regularly, and testing out your brakes is a great way to avoid car accidents caused by maintenance neglect.  Check for rust on the brake lines, because brake lines snapping is a common occurrence.  Make sure your tires are not old and worn down because bad tires can lead to blow outs which lead to accidents.”

Make sure that your vehicle is up-to-date with auto maintenance. If you need an auto repair shop in Reno that you can trust visit waynesautocenter.com for more information.