The first things to always remember in order to avoid being involved in an accident are also the most obvious. Following traffic rules and the Highway Code may seem like common sense but they are often disregarded by, not only drivers, but pedestrians also; thus causing more accidents. Wearing a seatbelt is another law that many drivers choose to ignore, even though many injuries that have occurred due to not buckling up could have been avoided, including some fatalities.

Every driver should also have defensive driving on their mind when they get behind the wheel. However, just because you're a careful driver, you never know when you're, quite literally, going to run into a reckless one. While driving, being on the defensive at all times can help you avoid accidents and stay one step ahead of other road users due to you having more time to react. Additionally, being a courteous driver is a sure-fire way to lessen the chances of a traffic accident. While this may seem like a lesson in good conduct and manners, being courteous is not a virtue possessed by many drivers but is essential in keeping yourself and others safe on the roads.

Many drivers also ignore the repeated warnings of the dangers of drinking and driving - an ignorance that has caused thousands of deaths on roads across the country. Some people argue over the amount of alcohol you can drink before being classed as drunk. However, the safest way to avoid being caught drink-driving or causing harm to someone else is to simply not drink alcohol at all when you know you will be driving.

On a similar note, driving requires a great deal of concentration and, because of this, having a discussion on your mobile phone is incredibly irresponsible while you're out on the road. Many countries have enacted laws prohibiting the use of phones while driving and penalising drivers who continue to do so, due to a large amount of drivers seemingly unwilling to pull over for a couple of minutes to take their call - not realising that those couple of minutes could potentially save lives.

One final point is to always keep an adequate distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. You may be in a rush and planning to overtake the driver in front, but always stay at a safe distance as you never know when a driver in front of you may lose control or suffer a breakdown. Changing radio stations or CDs while driving should also be avoided for this very reason; taking your eyes off the road even for a second can easily lead to a traffic accident.

Taking these tips on board and generally keeping your wits about you while driving is sure to help you decrease the chances of being involved in an accident and keep your fellow road users safe while driving.

Isla Campbell writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.