A car accident can be an extremely distressing experience. It can also put you and other road users at risk of serious injury and result in extensive damage to your vehicle. Here are two steps you can take to reduce your chances of being involved in a road accident.

Look after the brakes

A poorly functioning set of brakes could drastically increase the likelihood of a collision; longer braking distances caused by issues such as low brake fluid or worn-out rotors will make it harder for you to stop your car abruptly if you need to, which could, in turn, cause your vehicle to collide with another car or a pedestrian.

Given this, it really is crucial to take good care of your car's brakes. Make sure that you check the brake fluid levels on a regular basis; if the liquid is white and cloudy, this could mean that condensation has entered the reservoir and contaminated the brake fluid. Allowing this tainted fluid to stay in your car's brake system could lead to deterioration of the cylinders, which could then affect your vehicle's braking performance. As such, if you do notice a clouding of this liquid, make sure to replace it immediately.

It's also important to pay attention to the firmness of the brake pedal; ideally, you should feel a small amount of resistance when you press it. If it starts to feel slightly spongy and soft, do not continue to drive your vehicle until a mechanic has inspected it, as this change in firmness could signify a serious problem with the brake system. It could, for example, indicate that the brake lines or the brake callipers have become corroded. Both of these issues could seriously impact your car's braking performance.

Use the appropriate type of tyres

Using the right type of tyres for the terrain and climate in which you drive your vehicle can drastically reduce your chances of losing control of the car and getting involved in an accident.

If, for example, you live in a very cold climate, where heavy rain and snow occur on a regular basis, it would be wise to invest in a set of winter tyres. The higher quantity of rubber in a winter tyre (in comparison to all-season or summer tyres), coupled with its special tread pattern, makes it easier for it to maintain a strong grip on the road, even when that road is covered in slippery ice or rainwater.

Similarly, if you reside or work in a rural area and therefore frequently drive your car across muddy, rough terrain, it may be worth purchasing tyres designed specifically for this type of environment (such as the Deegan 38 tyres, for example). Tyres made for mud terrain usually feature things like stone ejector ribs and extra deep tread depths, which can help to improve traction levels and thus reduce the likelihood of you losing control of your vehicle.