While no one can predict accidents and definitely no one can avoid them, there are ways to lessen the chances of being involved in an accident. Here goes:

1. Follow traffic rules-This tip can be the simplest rule in the book but it has often been disregarded by drivers and pedestrians, thus causing more road traffic accidents. I dont know why some people find it very hard to follow simple rules when it could not hurt them to just comply.

2. Buckle up!- Wearing seatbelts can be annoying for some people but wait until you hear all about the number of accidents that could have been prevented if only the driver or the passenger was wearing seatbelts. Wearing seatbelts can also lessen the impact of any road traffic accidents and it can save your life.

3. Practise defensive driving-Every driver should have defensive driving in mind whenever he sits behind the wheel. You may be a careful driver but you never know when you are going to encounter a reckless driver. Always being on the defensive can help you avoid road traffic accidents because you are one step ahead of the other drivers and you will always have the luxury of having more time to avoid accidents.

4. Always be courteous-This may seem like a lesson in good conduct and proper manners but being courteous is a virtue not possessed by most people particularly drivers. Being courteous means you do not race against another vehicle driver or you do not increase your speed at a sleeping policeman.

5. You can drink but never drive-Drunk driving has been responsible for thousands of death on the road. Road traffic accidents are most often caused by drunk drivers who can no longer identify the right from the left lane. Some people argue about the exact amount of alcohol one can drink before being tagged as drunk. To be on the safe side, why not refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverage at all while you are in control of a vehicle?

6.It is ok to use your cell phone but not when you are driving-Some countries have enacted laws prohibiting and penalizing drivers who use their cell phones while driving. It takes a lot of concentration to drive safely and you do not need a distraction to that concentration. It will only take a few minutes to stop the vehicle and make your call. Compare that with the delay you will be facing if you meet an accident just because you were too busy to pull over to make that phone call.

7. Avoid changing compact disks or radio stations while driving-This is too common for drivers they no longer think of it as a driving sin. You never know what can happen in just a blink of an eye. Taking off your eyes from the road for just a few seconds to change a compact disc can result to an accident that can cause your life.

8. Always keep some distance from the next car-Never kiss the rear of the car ahead of you. You may be in a rush and planning to overtake the other car but always keep some distance between your car and the car ahead of you. You never know when the other car may experience problems with his break or when the driver would lose control of his vehicle. It is advisable to be on the safe side and drive at least a vehicle away from the first car.

9. Always respect a foul weather-Always give respect to a rainy or a snowy day because you cannot beat a bad weather. Lessen your speed when driving in a wet pavement because water and snow will always make the road slippery. Increasing you speed when the road is in this condition will only increase your chances of meeting an accident.

10. Always check you car condition before driving-It is always ideal to check your car for possible petrol leakage or some other maintenance requirements before using it. Most road traffic accidents are caused by busted tires that have not been checked by the drivers.

Road traffic accidents will always be an annoying possibility for every person on the road. However, a little care and observance of traffic rules will always contribute to prevent possible road traffic accidents.