All new cars and other trucks are built to congregate a comprehensive set of federal safety regulations. They are built keeping in mind the precautions and the safety measures. But that doesn�t mean that all vehicles are equally safe all the time.

You might wonder when you come to know that the vehicle that you are buying or which you are driving may put you at a greater risk of dying in an accident, according to a study published by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, a nonprofit supported by the insurance industry.

People choose small vehicles because they are generally more environmentally friendly, a great value, they provide for greater driving and parking options in congested urban areas, and many consumers tell us they are simply more fun to drive

Why small cars won�t keep you safe?
While our environment is pushing us to make and sell smaller, lighter cars that meet the high fuel economy standards, safety advocates worry that meeting those requirements would result in cars that are less safe in a crash.
The laws of Physics
Size is important because mass, coupled with acceleration, determines the force of a crash. Injuries depend on the forces that act on the occupants in the car, not on how much external damage the car sustains. The force of a crash turns on two key attributes: the weight of the crashing vehicle, which determines how much speed must be absorbed during the impact, and the size of the vehicle, which often determines how close the front of the vehicle is to the driver–an essential indicator of the extent of injuries to the legs and torso.

Yesterday i went for a long drive at night which�was a blend of�fun and horror. �This was the first time i went alone taking my car out at night. At first it wasn’t fearful or scary to drive alone on a road when i did see few cars passing by, may be people were on a long drive like me!

But as time passed, i was riding on the main�road which comes in the midst of the pine forests, i could not uphold myself. It was really scary to be alone on such roads. That was really a horrifying experience for me. So many things were running in my mind at that moment, that i would like to share and�suggest few things which you should be careful at night while driving.

If you are a women, unfortunately you have to be more careful when you drive alone at night.

Driving at night is dangerous for a number of reasons. First, your visibility reduces at night which may prove fatal for you as you might not distinguish the thing coming infront of you is a human or predator..� if you�are driving in a forest or so. You have to be more attentive looking all surroundings while driving, which most of us do not do.

Second, you feel more tired and less attentive at night than day in comparison. Darkness reduces the depth perception, which can cause impaired judgement and late reflex actions.

Third, we know that lights on the streets glare our sight, but we keep blinding the approaching vehicles infront of us.

I would suggest few thing which you can take a note of —Why driving alone at night can be dangerous?

—Do not get down from your car until you reach your destination. Make sure that you remain in your car as often as you can. Do not stop your car at places which seems deserted or where only one or two people roaming around.

—Keeping in mind that you are driving in a car, things can occasionally go wrong.

—Carry a fully charged cell phone and a list of hand-written emergency numbers should your cell phone die and you have to use a pay phone or land line.

—Having said that, make sure you always carry some loose change (at least a couple of dollars in change) and some small bills.

Reduce your Speed
This always goes in hand without saying.

—Always drive withing the range where the length of the road is illuminated by your head lights.

Don’t blind other drivers
Always dip your headlights before an approaching car comes within range. If the other driver fails to realize you are approaching, flick the beam back to high for an instant before dipping it again.

These are the things you must keep in mind before driving alone at night.

I do a lot of driving in the busy streets where its most likely to hit other cars, motorcyceles or even kids. You might not know who comes in front of you suddenly while driving and hits you.
Its very important to use your peripheral vision here to avoid such sudden suiciders. Here’s how i use my peripheral vision while driving.

Many drivers get hypnotized on the road while concentrating on the center of the road ahead. Sometimes it becomes so obvious for them to avoid looking at the sides of the road.
I agree that you should watch the road, but nothing would cause you from the front i suppose. So you must watch out the sides which bring trouble.

Look on the rear view mirror meanwhile

To properly use your peripheral vision so that you do not hit the things which come suddently on your path, is to first ensure your eyes and gaze; are relaxed. You relax your eyes by not fixing your sight at one fixed point or path on the road.

Secondly, you must scan the left and the right side of the road with quick eye movements. Meanwhile, you should also glance in your rear view mirror.
Follow these two and you will be able to relax your eyes and see better and watch out for sudden trouble hitting on you.

Accident spot

Stay at the Scene

� At the scene of the accident :� The first and the most obvious point is to stay at the accident spot instead of flying from the scene. There are serious penalties for hit-and-run drivers.

Call the police

Exchange contact information with the other drivers involved.

Talk to witnesses and obtain their contact information. If possible, record what they tel you.

If possible, take photos of the accident scene and the damage to your vehicle.

Be careful while talking to the parties involved in the accident. Apologies and admissions to fault can be used against you when trying to reach a settlement.

Its better to talk with the Police rather than with the involved parties. Talk to them only if the situation necessitates.

Beyond the scene of the accident:� After the police have arrived and you are free to leave the scene, contact your insurance company and let them know what happened.

Rather than engaging� with the insurance companies by yourself , its better to contact a personal injury attornal. He will asssess the details of the accident and your injuries and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf in order to obtain a more favourable settlement.