Ways to Avoid A Car Wreck # 9

Columbus, Ohio. According to personal injury attorney, David A. Bressman, nearly 40,000 people die each year in car wrecks. Further, of the nearly 6 million car wrecks yearly, almost 50% involve an injury. The best way to avoid injury is drive safely and prudently. This, of course, is obvious but too few "experts" give any meaning to driving safely and prudently. The following series is designed to give you some practical pointers on HOW to do this.

#9: Let aggressive drivers pass or find some way to get out of their way. If a driver behind you tailgates, flashes his headlights, gives you hand gestures or makes numerous lane changes, get out of his way as soon as possible. This aggressive driver is an imminent hazard and you don't want to be anywhere near him. If you're in the left lane, ease into the right lane as soon as you can safely do so to let him pass. If it's a two-lane highway. maintain your speed until you can safely pull off and let the aggressive driver pass.

Helpful: Certain types of vehicles offer hints that their owners might be more aggressive or careless on the road. These include cars that have extra-wide tires or loud mufflers ... numerous dents ... or are covered in dirt and grime. Try to give such vehicles a wide berth or at least your close attention.

Hint: With so many distractions while driving – radio, cellphone, texting, GPS...- it may be that the other driver is NOT aggressive, merely distracted. Sometimes spraying windshield fluid, which will carry back from your car to the car tailgating you, is a gentle reminder to that driver to wake up and pay attention.