5 ways to avoid accidents on Highways

Highways are vital for connecting cities, transporting goods, and helping people travel long distances. However, they can also be dangerous if drivers are careless. 

 In Nigeria, road crashes remain a serious problem. Between January and September 2025, The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported  that no fewer than 3,400 people were killed and 22,162 injured in 6,858 road crashes nationwide, showing the high toll of traffic crashes. 

In this article, Tribune Online explores 5 ways to avoid accidents on highways:

Control your speed

One of the leading  causes of crashes on highways is over speeding. Driving too fast reduces the time you have to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions, and it increases the force of impact in a collision. 

So it’s important to slow down to match safe highway speeds to give you more time to identify and respond to hazards before they lead to accidents.

Keep a safe following distance

Another major cause of highway accidents is following too closely behind the vehicle in front. If you are too close, you may not have enough space to stop when the car ahead suddenly brakes, leading to a rear‑end collision.

 It’s crucial to keep more space between your vehicle and the one ahead to allow you to react smoothly and safely.

Avoid distractions while driving

Distraction from phones, loud music, eating, or even talking to passengers can take your attention away from the road. Even a brief look away from the road at high speeds can lead to a crash because the situation ahead can change in an instant. 

 Stay focused on the road and minimise 

distractions to reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.

Don’t drive when you are tired or under the influence of drugs 

Fatigue slows down your reactions and impairs judgment just like alcohol or drugs do. When drivers are tired, they may drift between lanes, miss road signs, or fail to notice hazards in time.  

Take regular rest stops and also avoid driving when you’re  tired, drunk or under the influence of drugs and other intoxicants. This will help you to stay alert and reduce the risk of crashes.

Practice defensive driving

Defensive driving  means constantly watching the road, anticipating what other drivers might do, and preparing to react safely. You have to keep scanning the road ahead, checking mirrors often, and being aware of potential hazards like sudden lane changes, vehicles overtaking unsafely and dangerously, or  broken-down vehicles on the road.

Defensive drivers are less likely to be caught off guard by sudden dangers and are better able to take preventive action.