The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that approximately 16,000 car accidents occur every day. Sometimes, a reckless driver makes it impossible for you to avoid a collision. But by taking some simple precautions, you can reduce your risk of an accident as you go about your daily driving routine. However, if you do get in a wreck, it’s very important that the collision repairs are done at a reputable shop. This way, you’ll know that your car has been returned to a safely drivable condition. At Friendly Auto Body & Towing, we provide expert collision repair in the greater Hartford, CT area. Here are three basic tips for preventing car accidents.

Remain Completely Focused on Driving

Distracted driving is the number-one cause of car accidents, primarily due to drivers who pay attention to their phone instead of the road. About 25% of all car wrecks are caused by texting and driving. Although it seems obvious, it bears repeating that you should not look at your phone at all while driving. Other common distractions that should be avoided include applying makeup and eating.

Keep a Safe Following Distance

To measure your following distance, you should note an unmoving object ahead of you, such as an overpass. When the vehicle in front of you passes that object, count how many seconds it takes you to reach it. In good weather, your following distance should be a minimum of three seconds. If it’s raining, this should be increased to five seconds. And in snowy/icy conditions this should be lengthened to ten seconds or longer. With a safe following distance, there’s much less risk of sliding into the car in front of you when traffic slows.

Optimize Visibility

To be able to see looming roadway hazards as early as possible, it’s very important that you have clear visibility through your windshield. If your windshield has any chips or cracks, then the repairs should be done ASAP. And it’s smart to clean both the outside and inside of your windshield every week so that dirt and dead bugs don’t impede your view of the road. Also, it’s a good idea to invest in a nice pair of polarized sunglasses so you can more easily see the road during periods of intense sun glare. 

Collision Repair in Hartford, CT

When you need collision repair in Hartford and the surrounding area, contact Friendly Auto Body & Towing at (860) 325-3075 to schedule an appointment. At our local body shop, we also offer expert towing and roadside assistance in Hartford!