Motor vehicle accidents rank as the leading cause of accident-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are caused by an outside force applied to the head. A direct impact or blast shockwaves can cause the brain to either collide with the inside surface of the skull or to expand and contract (stretch) rapidly. In severe cases, a foreign object may penetrate the skull and damage brain tissue (grey matter) along its path (known as an open/penetrating injury).
In a traffic accident, any vehicle occupant can be seriously injured if his/her head strikes the steering wheel, windshield, the car’s frame, or the pavement outside. Even concussions, known as mild traumatic brain injuries, can expose the patient to increased risks of cognitive complications.
The Best Tip for Driving Safely and Avoiding Traumatic Brain Injury in an Accident
As much as possible, drivers should try to “practice consistent defensive driving at all times.” Following this tip with discipline and consistency can help a driver to avoid accidents, traumatic brain injury, and other potentially catastrophic injuries.
So what does “practicing consistent defensive driving at all times” mean exactly? In a nutshell, defensive driving is “awareness” driving. It’s a state of anticipating the unexpected, not taking chances, and looking out for the other guy.
Guidelines for Defensive Driving
Here are a few specificguidelines to help you employ effective defensive driving:
- Don’t tailgate: Avoid following too closely. In flowing traffic, give yourself plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. If you have a tailgater behind you, temporarily ease off the accelerator and allow your speed to drop just a few mph. It is not recommended to use your brakes to discourage, warn, or intimidate a tailgater.
- Take in the Big Picture: While it is important to look forward, it’s important to utilize your peripheral vision to scan the road around you. If you’re behind a truck or SUV and cannot see past it, it might be a good idea to signal and change lanes, provided it’s safe to do so.
- Stay Out of Blind Spots: You should always check over your shoulder (checking your blind spots) before changing lanes. It is also helpful to keep your car out of other drivers’ blind spots.
Special Note: Always wear your seat belt. No matter how defensively you drive, some collisions may be unavoidable. Seat belts in conjunction with airbags are designed to offer occupants some degree of protection against traumatic brain injury and other catastrophic injuries in a crash.
References:
Congressional Research Service
Kupper Chevrolet
