Avoiding Car Accidents in Ottawa

Nobody wants to get into a car accident. Accidents are costly, time-consuming, and often result in injuries. In 2019, there were almost 12,000 car accidents in Ottawa. Although that number is down from the previous year, it’s still a significant number of accidents. No matter how good of a driver you are, accidents can happen to anyone. That’s why it’s important to know how to avoid them. Here are five tips to help you avoid getting into a car accident in Ottawa.

1. Drive the speed limit

One of the most common causes of car accidents is speeding. It’s important to always obey the posted speed limit, even if you think you can get away with going a little bit over. Remember, the posted speed limit is the maximum speed you should be going under ideal conditions. If the weather is bad or visibility is low, you should be driving even slower than the posted limit.

2. Don’t follow other cars too closely

If you tailgate other drivers, you’re more likely to rear-end them if they have to brake suddenly. Leaving enough space between your car and the one in front of you gives you time to brake if necessary. The general rule of thumb is to leave one car length for every 10 km/h you’re travelling. So, if you’re driving 50 km/h, you should leave at least five car lengths between you and the driver in front of you.

3. Stay off your phone

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Canada. If you’re on your phone while driving—whether you’re texting, scrolling through social media, or taking a call—you’re not paying 100% attention to the road ahead of you. That puts both yourself and other drivers at risk. Put your phone away before you start driving, and wait until later to check any messages or notifications you might have received.

4. Be aware of construction zones

Construction zones are another common cause of accidents in Ottawa. Construction crews are working hard to improve our roads, but they can also create dangerous situations for drivers if we’re not careful. Slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching a construction zone—you never know when workers might suddenly step into traffic or equipment might spill onto the road without warning.

5 . Don’t drive impaired

This one seems like it should go without saying but unfortunately, it’s still a major problem on Ottawa roads—and across Canada as a whole. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol significantly increases your chances of being involved in an accident, so always make sure you have a designated driver if you plan on drinking alcohol or use drugs before getting behind the wheel yourself .

Avoiding car accidents altogether is impossible, but there are precautions we can take as drivers to help minimize our chances of being involved in one. If you get into or witness any car accidents in Ottawa then call Ottawa Towing Services for a safe tow to a location of your/their choice . By following these five tips , we can all do our part to make Ottawa roads a little bit safer for everyone .