Forget to answer that text,
and dinner could be ruined.
"You can't use that."
But take your eyes off the road,
and you could eat your next meal
through a straw.
Brace for impact.
Modern technology has increased
our safety on the road,
but never forget the power
behind this two ton speeding bullet.
In 2016,
Molei Wright and her boyfriend
were driving through
the newly fallen snow
when a large truck blindsided them.
Her vertebrae were crushed
inside her neck,
and Wright suffered
an internal decapitation.
But she defied the odds,
and made it out
of the crash alive.
But at this speed,
With nearly 1.35 million people killed
in auto accidents each year, worldwide,
chances are that at some point,
you will be in a car wreck.
Whether it's your mistake,
or a manufacturer's defect,
anytime the rubber hits the road,
your safety is on the line.
Follow these steps,
and you might pass life's
next crash course.
Unlike most accidents,
car crashes offer little warning.
Either you're prepared,
or you're not.
If you have a chance to react
to an oncoming car,
but can't get out of the vehicle,
lean back in the seat
and brace yourself.
Look forward
but avoid leaning forward.
So keep your head straight,
and avoid turning sideways,
to decrease the chance of injury.
A car crash has three phases.
The first stage involves a collision
between the vehicle and other objects.
The secondary impact is a collision
with the vehicle,
the items inside, and you.
Store your items in the compartments
before you start the car,
and avoid this hail of shrapnel.
A report found that the impact
from a loose object
will have a relative force
equal to the object's weight
multiplied by the speed
in which it travels.
In this sudden impact,
even your loose change
could be fatal.
But the crash isn't over yet.
The final phase of the collision
won't damage your paint job.
No,
this stage involves your body.
Your organs and bones
can collide together
making a mess of your insides.
Talk about a high-speed impact.
Ouch.
Right now, you have one goal.
Slow down.
Going 64 km/h (40 mph),
versus 128 km/h (80 mph),
could mean the difference
between you walking away,
or being carried away
on a stretcher.
Don't pump your antilock brakes.
What if you don't have antilock brakes?
Well, don't stomp on the pedal,
or your car could skid.
If you do lose control,
steer into the direction of the skid.
According to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration reports,
50% of accidental deaths
are preventable by a seatbelt.
Avoid sitting too close
to the steering wheel
or you could hit the airbag
at full speed.
Airbags travel faster
than your vehicle,
at about 321 km/h (200 mph).
So keep a minimum distance
of 25 cm (10 in) from your chest
to the steering wheel.
And never put anything
between your body and a seatbelt.
A seven-year study found
that sudden lane changes
caused about 17% of car crashes.
So stop cutting people off.
Be aware of your blind spots,
and don’t assume
the lane changing cameras
will alert you to every car
on the highway.
Allow space for the other cars
on the road.
And never let artificial intelligence
in your car replace your judgment.
It's a myth that a drunk body is relaxed
enough to handle a crash.
A 1986 study found that drunk drivers
were more likely to suffer
a serious injury or death.
In the United States alone,
impaired drivers account for one-third
of vehicle-related injuries.
And 66% of fatal crashes
result from drunk driving.
Nothing's more aggravating
than the traffic
between you and your loved ones.
You may think you'll get home
a second faster,
but high-speed accidents account
for half of all vehicle-related deaths.
Reduce your chance of an accident
by avoiding these high-traffic areas.
In 2015,
824 people died
from car accidents associated
with drowsy driving.
Keep your body rested,
and never drive when you're tired.
Driving on weekends,
between midnight and 3 a.m.,
are the deadliest times
on U.S. roadways.
Be alert,
and drive defensively,
keeping your hands
at the 'ten' and 'two' position
on the steering wheel.
Stay vigilant at all times,
and avoid distractions.
After the accident,
turn off the vehicle,
and call the authorities.
If you're not injured,
use cones or flares
to tell other drivers
that your vehicle is disabled.
Turn on your emergency lights.
But if no one drives by,
you better have kept your phone charged.
At this moment,
you may not know
what injuries you've got.
Neck injuries like whiplash
can last for months
and may require surgery,
depending on the severity.
A head injury requires
immediate hospitalization,
especially if your brain is bleeding.
If you realize
that you're hurt,
stay still.
Don't risk making your injuries worse.
Stay aware of your surroundings,
and pace yourself
behind the wheel,
and you might make it out
of the crash alive.
So you avoided a crash,
but just barely.
And you've been up for days with no rest.
How are you going
to survive without sleep?
Get your pajamas on.
We have the answer right here,
on the next How to Survive.