We're almost a full month into 2026, and while some may have already forgotten their New Year's resolutions, it's not too late to consider taking a few simple steps that could not only benefit you but everyone else on the road.
Below, you can learn more about 10 smart driving tips for 2026 designed to prevent car accidents. Many of these safe driving tips come from reliable state and federal sources compiled by Car Pro. Some of these tips might be familiar to you as well.
The bottom line is it’s always a great idea to be a safer driver. “It's not too late to make a few New Year's resolutions as they pertain to driving habits in 2026,” according to Car Pro. Our South Carolina car accident lawyers at Johnson + Johnson, Attorneys At Law, explain what you need to know.
10 Safe Driver Tips For 2026
So what can you do to make South Carolina’s roads safer this year? Here are 10 easy tips along with the reasons why these suggestions are so important:
1. Don’t Drive Distracted
Texting while driving, eating while driving, and other distracted driving behaviors have increasingly become some of the most common causes of collisions in South Carolina and nationwide.
In 2023, distracted drivers took the lives of 3,275 people according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Don’t become another statistic. Keep your eyes (and your focus) on the road.
2. Don’t Drive Aggressively
Whether it’s tailgating, changing lanes without warning, or weaving in and out of traffic, aggressive drivers create chaos on the road, which often results in serious or fatal accidents. Roughly 11 percent of drivers admitted to driving aggressively in 2024, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Give everyone a break on the road. Leave enough space between your vehicle and other cars. And clearly signal if you’re going to turn or change lanes.
3. Don’t Drive Drunk
The dangers of drinking and driving have been well documented for decades. Even so, many people still get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. In 2023, for example, more than 41 percent (413 deaths) of all South Carolina car accident deaths occurred due to drivers under the influence of alcohol, according to the most recent NHTSA data. Have a plan before you head out. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a sober ride home.
4. Obey The Speed Limit
Speed limits exist for a reason. When drivers go too fast, they don’t have time to slow down and avoid a collision with another vehicle. More than 40 percent of all car accident deaths in South Carolina in 2023 were due to speeding drivers, according to NHTSA data. Obey the posted speed limits on the road. It could save your life, and someone else’s as well.
5. Don’t Run Red Lights
You would be amazed by how many car wrecks are caused by drivers who run red lights or fail to stop at stop signs. Each year, thousands of people nationwide are injured or killed by drivers who run a red light and crash into another car at an intersection. Specifically, 1,806 people died in 2023 due to being hit by drivers who ran a red light, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Do the right thing. Stop at all red lights. And keep an eye out for reckless drivers who ignore traffic lights.
6. Slow Down In Work Zones
Road construction workers have a lot to worry about when they’re working alongside the road or a busy highway. Sadly, one of the greatest risks construction workers face in roadwork zones is drivers racing through them. In 2023, road work zone accidents resulted in 898 fatalities and 40,170 injuries, according to the National Safety Council. When driving in a work zone, obey the posted speed limit. And make sure you give road workers enough space to do their job safely.
7. Watch For Pedestrians
Pedestrians have just as much right to use the road as anyone else. Unfortunately, people crossing the street or walking alongside a road often get hit by drivers who don’t share the road with pedestrians. In 2023, for example, 187 pedestrians were killed in accidents in South Carolina, according to the NHTSA. And the year after that, 7,148 pedestrians died in accidents nationwide, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Pedestrians should be able to cross the street safely. Stop at all crosswalks and share the road with pedestrians.
8. Know Your Limitations
As we get older, we sometimes need to adjust our driving habits. Perhaps our vision has changed. Maybe you have another medical condition that makes it difficult for you to drive long distances or at night. Know your limitations and make adjustments to keep everyone safe on the road.
9. Don’t Drive Tired
Tired drivers often don’t realize just how dangerous they are when they’re behind the wheel and nodding off or even completely falling asleep. All it takes is a second of closing your eyes to instantly cause a serious accident while driving tired. Tired drivers, in particular, often cause high-speed collisions because they don’t slow down before hitting another car. Do everyone a favor. Take a break from driving if you feel tired.
10. Wear Your Seatbelt
This might seem like another simple suggestion. But you would be surprised by how many people don’t wear their seatbelts and sustain serious injuries if they happen to get into an accident. An estimated 51 percent of speeding car accident deaths involved people who weren’t wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to NHTSA accident data. Seatbelts save lives. Wear yours every time you drive or ride in a car.
Injured? Contact a South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer
Even if you do everything right and drive safely all the time, accidents still happen. And in many cases, these collisions occur because another driver wasn’t doing their part to make the roads safer. When this happens, it’s critical that you act fast to protect your legal rights.
Our South Carolina car accident lawyers at Johnson + Johnson, Attorneys At Law can help every step of the way. We know exactly what to do after an accident, and we have the case results to prove it, including a $200,000 settlement for a car accident injury victim.
Contact us to learn more about your legal options. Schedule a free consultation at our South Carolina law firm today. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
“The team at Johnson+Johnson took great care of my family, and we look forward to continue working with them!” – RJP, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
