In the United States, there are 43.3 million households with pets. An estimated 80% of that figure takes their pets for a ride. Without grabbing a calculator, we know that’s a huge number of pets riding in cars. Now consider that there were 6.3 million road accidents in 2015 while the casualties in 2017 numbered 40,100 unfortunate souls. While the vehicle deaths dropped by one percent from the previous year, it still makes one wonder how many of these pets have been in a car crash along with their owners.
It’s not clear how many pets perish in a car crash each year but the numbers show they are equally in danger as their human companions. Since more than 34 million people drive with their pets in their cars, one can easily assume that many of them have been hurt or have died in a car crash.
This makes us worry about our adorable Joey here. While we value his life, we also like to take him with use wherever we go. That’s why we take extra precautions when we’re on the road with little Joey tagging along. Still, we can’t really guess what will happen in the future, which makes it important to be prepared always. . Read further to learn some tips on what to do in case of a car crash.
Avoiding a Car Crash
Before we dwell on what to do to survive a car crash, let’s look at the many ways to avoid it. There are four main reasons why some drivers get in a road mishap.
Not Keeping Your Car in Tiptop Shape
A rundown vehicle has a higher chance of breaking down while on the road. Make sure all the parts and components are working nicely, especially the tires.
Overspeeding
The faster you drive, the higher your chances of getting in a car crash. There’s not a simpler explanation that that. Unless you’re on a race track, you’re better off leaving the speed racing to the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick.
Distracted Driving
If you’re not focused on the road, you may end up in the hospital or worse, in the morgue. Your little furry companion, meanwhile, may find herself in a pet cemetery. As horrible as that may sound, it will happen if you’re not careful on the road.
When you’re on the wheel, put your phone down. If there’s an important call, pull over and then answer. Are you sleepy or exhausted? Pull over and get some shuteye. Feeling distraught? Pull over and get yourself together. Whatever problem you have, it would be worse of you get in an accident.
Drunk Driving
Well-loved Princess Diana supposedly died because her driver had a drink or two though many conspiracy theorists will argue that. Jackson Pollock and a friend died in a single car accident, in which the drunken abstract expressionist was driving. In 2007, director Bob Clark and his son were killed by a drunken illegal immigrant without a license. And how many times have you seen news of a whole family losing their lives after a drunk driver rammed into their car?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 10,500 people lost their lives from accidents related to drunk driving in 2016. The NHTSA, meanwhile, said that alcohol was involved in 10,874 of the 37,133 car crash deaths in 2017.
Just to make things clear, don’t drink and drive.
During A Car Crash
Seat Belt
Every time you get in a vehicle, you’re first actions should be to put your seat belt on. Some people find it constricting but that’s a whole lot better than being thrown out of the car in an accident. Wear your safety belt for the simple reason that it’s the most effective way you can avoid getting hurt in a car crash. As a matter of fact, the NHTSA states that half of car crash deaths would have been avoided if the victims were wearing their seat belts.
Everyone in the car should have the proper safety belts on. As for the young children, make sure they’re properly secured in their car seats.
Keep Calm
Remain calm when you see an accident about to happen. Keep your hands on the wheel and control your car as best as you can. It’s still possible to avoid a head on collision with your last second maneuverings. Still, you must brace for impact.
Blown Tire
If you’re tire suddenly blows while you’re driving, don’t just sit back and let your life flash before your eyes. You can still make it out alive by, first, staying calm so you can recall quickly what to do. Remember not to step on the brakes when a tire blows or when you are skidding. Hitting the brakes will do more harm than good in these situations.
Hold on to the wheel as firm as possible and steer in the same direction as to where the car is skidding. For example, if the back of the car is skidding to your left, you should turn the wheel to the left, as well. If you’re sliding to the right, steer to the right. Your tires should regain traction. Once they do, that’s when you hit the brakes.
Lessen the Damage
If a car crash seems inevitable, what do you do? Control the speed of your vehicle, for one. Try to lower your speed as best as you could since the impact will be worse if you’re pretty fast. If you’re too fast, you’ll also have less time to react and do what you can before the point of impact.
If you can, avoid impact to the sides of your car. In a head-on collision, your seat belt and air bag will protect you. If you were hit from the side, however, there’s a higher chance of being seriously injured. Remember, the side of your car is structurally weaker than the front and back.
After the Car Crash
Switch Engine Off
Hopefully, you wake up after being involved in a car crash. If you do, one of the first things you should do is take a selfie. Of course I’m kidding. You should first turn the engine off and remove the car key. If your engine keeps running, it will keep pumping flammable liquids. A running engine also creates heat. We all know what happens when heat and flammable materials meet, right? In most cases, a spark between two people who just met is a good thing. But a spark igniting from contact between heat and fuel, especially after a car crash, is something you shouldn’t be too keen on.
Check for Injuries
Examine yourself for injuries. Check on other people involved in the car crash if you are completely fine. Apply first aid to anyone who needs it but never move a person if he or she is obviously hurt and in pain.
Dial 911
If you’re still able to move, get your phone and call for help. Tell the authorities where you are and if you or the other party have possible injuries. If someone needs immediate medical assistance, the person on the other line can help guide you on what to do.
The best you can do is to talk to the person and keep him or her awake until the paramedics arrive. Try to calm them down by asking for vital information such as their names, where they live, and where they’re going. You should also ask where they are hurting the most so you can relay the information to the emergency responders.
Don’t Smoke
As jittery as you are at the moment, this is not the time to light up a cigarette. You should also stop anyone near the scene from smoking. You’re not sure yet if there is fuel leaking or if there are dangerous chemicals and items like flammable goods, aerosols and firecrackers near you.
Don’t Leave the Scene
If you’re perfectly fine after a car crash, stay where you are. If you bolt the scene, the authorities will charge you with a hit-and-run.
Take Photos Before Moving Vehicle
For insurance and investigation purposes, take photos of the accident. That is, if you are able to. Once you’ve taken enough photos, move your car to a safer place.
Car Emergency Kit
Your chances of walking or crawling out of your vehicle after a car crash is higher if you have the necessary items to help you survive. A window punch, for example, will break the windows so you can get out to safety. A seat belt cutter or pocket blade will cut through your restraints if you can’t reach the locking mechanism. A fire extinguisher will be useful when a small fire breaks out. Secure it to the floor so it won’t go flying and hit someone in the head during a car crash.
There is a spike in road accidents during the holiday season. That’s because so many people are travelling from here to there. A number of them are probably rushing to get gifts for their friends and loved ones. Others are stressing out about having to drive so far just to visit the in-laws for Christmas. I’m pretty sure quite a number of you will be driving home after a party. As mentioned, don’t take the wheel if you’ve had a drink.
And please, if you have pets, don’t take them with you in your car if you plan on getting wasted. If you’re taking your pet with you to visit the old folks, keep them in a crate that has been crash-tested. You can also use other forms of restraints.
Also, don’t play with your pets while you’re driving. As absurd as it may sound, this actually happens a lot. In fact, 60 percent of drivers admit to being distracted by their pets while on the road. About 17 percent of these people allow their pets to sit on their laps as they drive while 4 percent actually plays with their dogs. Again, focus on the road while driving even if you have a really cute furry passenger on board.
Feel free to share more tips on how to avoid and survive a car crash in the comment section. I’m pretty sure our readers will be grateful for every life-saving tip they can learn.
Up Next: What Would Joey Do During An Earthquake
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