Remember the last post on women drivers and their stereotypes? This article is not just to prove those stereotypes wrong, it’s about learning to avoid accidents. The accidents described on this post ranges from minor mishaps to fatal collisions. Let’s not wait for the latter to happen, before we learn from simple driving mistakes.

The following is a top ten list that shows common ways by which you can avoid getting into a car accident.

#1 Don’t drink and drive. This is a basic reminder often told by parents to their children once they first get behind the wheel. The sad reality is that a majority of fatal vehicular accidents around the world is often connected with drunk driving. The driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel and ended up ramming against a tree or worse, a hapless pedestrian just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

To avoid drinking and driving, as much as possible sleep over at a friend’s place during a party instead of getting behind the wheel and taking your chances. If you absolutely must get home, then be sure to have a designated driver who wouldn’t consume a drop of alcohol throughout the simple get together. These key reminders can save lives, including yours. So remember, don’t drink and drive.

#2 Make sure your vehicle is in tiptop condition. We can’t all have chauffeurs to care for our vehicles. Being a good driver doesn’t stop with getting behind the wheel and driving decently. It all starts with caring for your car and making sure that every single part is functioning properly.

You can be an excellent and cautious driver, but with a busted accelerator or brake system, your vehicle is an accident-magnet. Check your car regularly to see if everything is working as it should.

#3 Leave yourself space to maneuver by avoiding the fast lane. We all get impatient sometimes. If you’re in the freeway and the driver ahead of you happens to be driving at an excruciatingly slow pace, then it’s awfully tempting to simply head to the left lane and join the speeding, and often recklessly, vehicles.

What most drivers don’t know is that the center lane or the right lane on multilane roads, allow you bigger space to maneuver. In a way, these spaces give you “escape routes” in case an unexpected problem arises. A majority of the highway accidents happen in the left lane. As much as possible, try to avoid accidents by sticking right or center.

#3 While driving, keep scanning far ahead. If you keep your eyes focused only at the car that is ahead of yours, you won’t have enough time to prepare yourself for possible dangers located far down the road. Watch the vehicle in front of you, but keep your eyes moving to check on the other vehicles beside you, behind you and even far ahead of you.

Believe me when I tell you that the last thing you need is to hit an immobile vehicle at the road’s bend.

#4 Be wary of blind spots—yours and of other drivers. Every car has at least one blind spot. Even with the most excellent auto mirrors on the market, the increased visual periphery does not include certain places in front, behind or beside your car. By knowing your car’s blind spots, you’ll be a little more careful when turning or even just moving straight ahead.

It’s the same thing with other vehicles’ blind spots. If you happen to be sandwiched between two trucks or bigger vehicles and you can’t see their mirrors, chances are, the drivers can’t see you either. Larger vehicles have bigger blind spots, so as much as possible be on your toes when driving behind or alongside them.

#5 NEVER tailgate. Yes it’s tempting to tailgate when driving when traffic is heavy or driving in the fast lane, but you need to be able to leave just enough space between your car and the vehicle ahead of you. When driving on the freeway, roads may be slick. If you’re sticking too close to the car ahead of you, a sudden stop from the other vehicle could result to you hitting the car even after you’ve already stepped on the brake pedal.

#6 Use your vehicle’s hazards. There are times when while driving, you encounter sudden obstructions on the road. When you slow down your vehicle, make sure you turn your flashers on to alert the drivers behind you once they spot you slowing down.

#7 Be on your toes when it comes to traffic changes. In the same way that you should always scan far ahead while driving, you also need to be able to anticipate the traffic changes. For example, while driving in the fast lane and the other lane is pretty clogged with other vehicles, expect that some impatient drivers will dart over to your lane.

Traffic lights also tend to change quickly, especially from orange to red. When driving, remember to slow down when you see orange and don’t beat the red light. Another driver who sees green from the other lane might accidentally T-bone your car full-force.

#8 Don’t push your car to its limits. Different cars have varying horsepower and brake systems. Don’t cause an accident because you kept on pushing your car to its limits—whether in speed or hard braking. Keep in mind how your car performs or reacts in specific instances.

If for example your car turns easily with the slight tip on the steering wheel, then it’s important that you turn cautiously. Same goes with cars with brake pedals being too low. If you need to press hard on your brake pedal for a long time before it starts to slow down, your car’s braking system has a problem. Don’t tempt fate by tailgating and braking at the last second.

#9 Be on the lookout for crossing pedestrians, children and pets. The saddest accidents often involve innocent children. Granted that it’s partially the parents’ fault for letting their kids run after toys in the middle of the street, the driver is to blame when it comes to speeding through residential areas and around schools.

Most of these places have speed restrictions. The key to avoiding running over pets and children is to follow these speed restrictions and to drive cautiously especially in crowded areas.

The same goes with pedestrians. Some pedestrians cross lanes even when they’re not supposed to.

#10 Keep your temper in check. Road rage is a great factor when it comes to traffic accidents. Some drivers tend to curse out loud, give obscene gestures or aggressively try to push other drivers off of their lanes by intimidation and sometimes even sheer force. Instead of putting your safety into peril by letting your road rage take over, let the angry driver have his accident elsewhere.

At the end of the day, you’re safe and guilt-free.