You may be the safest driver on the road, but you still can't control the negligent actions of other drivers and you can't always avoid being hit. However, automobile manufacturers are investing more time and money into the production of safety devices that can reduce your risk of being involved in an accident. While these new devices help keep you safe, there are still things you can do yourself to accident-proof your vehicle.

Rear-facing cameras mounted on the back of a car are quickly becoming more affordable and common with consumers. Even city vehicles and buses have been using them to help avoid accidents. Since small children and animals are often invisible when passing behind a vehicle, the video camera helps to prevent back-over accidents. They're very helpful when pulling out of your driveway or a parking lot.

Infra red sensors can detect your position on a road. So if you begin to swerve into another lane, they can sense this movement and auto-correct. They may even alert the driver by sounding an alarm. Remarkably, they can even sense your closeness to surrounding vehicles. So if it detects that you're getting too close to the car in front of you, it will apply brake pressure.

It used to be that breathalyzers were only installed in the cars of people found guilty of driving under the influence since it was mandated by law. Anyone can add one to their vehicle though. These breathalyzers require you to blow into it when you get into your car. However, if it senses that your blood alcohol level surpasses the legal limit, it will lock the steering wheel and disable the ignition so the car won't start.

Parallel parking systems are also becoming more common with car models. This technology works by operating your vehicle and parallel parking it for you. It's able to sense the curb, and the cars in front of and behind the available parking spot. For those people with a bad track record of hitting other cars while parking, this is a really valuable device.

In addition to these devices available, there's still things that you need to monitor on your own to ensure your vehicle's safety. For instance, always monitor your tires to make sure their properly inflated and have a decent amount of tread still. You also want to check your headlights, brake lights, and daytime running lights often to ensure that all the bulbs are in working order. You always want to keep an eye on your brake pads to make sure they aren't too worn down, especially if you're preparing to embark on a lengthy road trip.

You can avoid causing a car accident by not participating in negligent activities. It goes without saying, but you don't want to talk on your phone, eat, or apply makeup while you're driving. You also want to make sure you're not too fatigued or under the influence of any over the counter drugs that could make you drowsy. Also, pay close attention to your surroundings, road conditions, and inclement weather. These can all factor into causing an accident. So if you notice the roadway might be icy, you need to reduce your speed.

The number one rule of driving is to not drink and driver. Doing so, greatly increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident that can seriously injure or kill you or another driver. It's always a good idea to find a designated driver or take a taxi if you are over the legal limit. While you can't avoid an accident completely, since the actions of other drivers are beyond your control, you can follow these guidelines to take every possible precaution to protect yourself.