One of the most common reasons that tourists get hurt or even killed while traveling is due to car accidents. And while car accidents can happen at a moment’s notice, there are some things you can do to help reduce your chances of being in a car accident, especially one that’s your fault.
To show you how this can be done, here are three ways to avoid a car accident while you’re on vacation.
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Get Familiar With The Car You’re Driving
If you’re driving a rental car or have borrowed some other type of vehicle that you’re driving while you’re on vacation, it’s wise to spend some time getting familiar with that car before you take it on the road.
According to TripAdvisor.com, you should check out the car to see how to do things like turn on the lights, control the radio, put the car on cruise control, turn on the windshield wipers, and more. Additionally, you should also spend a few minutes getting used to how touchy the gas pedal and brakes are. And, as should always be done when you get into a vehicle that you weren’t the last person to drive, you should also adjust the seat and mirrors to your height and line of vision.
Know Where You’re Going
Unless you’ve been to this location before, you likely won’t really know where you’re going when you’re driving on vacation. Luckily, with GPS, you can usually get away with not having mapped out your course before you set off.
However, to be as safe as you can be while on the road, it’s smart to have at least a vague idea of where you’re going and how to get there, especially if you’re somewhere where your GPS might not have a reliable connection. By doing this, the staff of EHS Today shares that you’ll have an easier time scanning the road ahead of you for other cars or obstacles rather than focusing all of your attention on road signs or navigation, which can be very distracting.
Only Take Safe Transportation
Even if you’re not the person driving, you can still be at risk of getting in a car accident during your vacation.
To reduce the chances of this happening, the CDC advises that you only take safe transportation in the city or country you’re visiting. This means only riding in cars that have seat belts, not getting on an overcrowded bus or van, and avoiding using motorcycles or similar vehicles whenever possible.
If you’re going to be taking a vacation soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how you can stay safe while riding or driving in a car and avoid possible car accidents.
