Thousands of people die every year as the result of auto accidents. Some simple safety knowledge could have prevented these crashes. Here are some tips to help you drive safely and to keep you from having to make road service calls.

First, if you are on any medications, take a close look at your product label to check if there are any side effects that could affect your driving. You don’t want to get on the road if your medicine causes drowsiness.

Next, make sure that children are restrained securely and appropriately for their size and age. Children under 12 years of age need to be in the back seat. Just by putting your children in the back you can reduce deaths and injuries 30%.

Driver inattention is one of the leading causes of car crashes. Drivers should eliminate distractions by staying off of cell phones and refraining from playing with gadgets on the dashboard.

Finally, it is a good idea to have a safety kit in your vehicle. It should have a flashlight, first aid kit, water, nonperishable foods, blankets, and jumper cables. Of course, the most important tool is a cell phone that will allow you to make a call for emergency roadside assistance.