Driving a car is inherently dangerous. Every year, thousands of people suffer severe injuries in car accidents. However, there are a number of things you can do to improve your safety on the roads.

Intersections: A large number of accidents happen at intersections, including a high percentage of fatal auto accidents. Extra care at intersections is essential; mindlessly following the person in front of you and not looking at the signal is not a good idea. Look in all directions each time you approach an intersection, and proceed with caution at all times, even if you have the right of way.

Avoid distractions: Accidents due to distracted drivers are on the rise. This includes drivers who are talking or texting on cell phones, using GPS devices, and performing other distracting activities such as eating, drinking, or grooming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers who use handheld devices while driving are four times as likely to get in an accident as other drivers. Stay away from distractions and keep your hands on the wheel.

Vehicle maintenance: Certain parts of your car exist primarily to help you see, such as your headlights, windshield, and windshield wiper blades. Keeping these parts of your car in good working order is important to your safety. Maintaining the rest of your car in good working condition, including your brakes and tires, will ensure that your car responds to your driving as you would expect.

Extra care in dangerous conditions: Driving in dangerous conditions requires extra care. While Florida does not have many instances of snow or ice on the roads, driving in fog or rain can be equally dangerous. In these situations, take your time and make sure that you can see a safe distance ahead based on the speed that you are driving. Many accidents also occur at night, and while you may not think of nighttime as particularly dangerous, it nonetheless requires that you drive with an extra amount of caution.

Tailgating: Tailgating is a leading cause of accidents, especially rear-end collisions. Keeping a safe distance of one car length - or more, depending on the speed of travel - is an important way to avoid these accidents. You never know when the person in front of you may have to swerve, brake suddenly, or take other actions that you do not anticipate.

Moving your eyes: Keeping your eyes moving instead of "zoning out" on the car in front of you is important. Regularly check your rear and side view mirrors, and maintain a defensive attitude when driving. This will help ensure that you are ready for whatever may occur.

We at Cohn & Smith are experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys. We offer these tips in the hope that you can avoid any serious car accidents in the future. However, some accidents - especially those due to the conduct of the other driver - unfortunately remain unavoidable. If you are injured in a car accident, call our office for a free confidential consultation at (954) 522-4600.