Road accidents are still common across Australia, with almost 1,200 people killed in road traffic accidents over the course of 2020. As a driver, it’s important to understand the most common causes of accidents on the road so that you can do your part to minimise risk for yourself, other drivers, and pedestrians.
Speeding
Speeding is always dangerous, no matter how good a driver you think you are. It doesn’t just mean that you have less time to react if an unexpected hazard appears; it also gives you less control over the vehicle and means that accidents which do occur are more likely to be fatal. Keeping your speed down is the single biggest thing you can do to reduce your chance of accidents on the road.
Drunk driving
It should go without saying that drunk driving is incredibly dangerous. Alcohol dulls your reflexes and makes you feel less inhibited, which can also lead to speeding and dangerous driving. Never drive if you’ve been drinking, even if you think you can.
Fatigue
Most people don’t realise that the effects of driving when fatigued are similar to those when driving under the influence of alcohol; your reaction times are decreased and your alertness levels are low, which means you can’t always react to hazards as quickly as you should be able to. If you’ve been driving for a long time or you feel tired, take a break to rest.
Vehicle defects
It can be tempting to try and push your vehicle a little further even after you notice a fault, but this can be a fatal mistake. If your vehicle isn’t performing as it should, whether that’s defective brakes or smoke coming from your engine, don’t drive it.
How we can help
At Not My Fault, we are a provider of high-quality replacement cars across Australia. If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you’re entitled to an accident replacement car to get you from A to B while your vehicle is repaired or replaced. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you with our not at fault car hire services.