Stay Safe While Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Georgia has the fourth-highest number of car crashes per year, despite Georgia being the eighth most populous state.
Most car accidents are avoidable and can be prevented by following basic safety guidelines. Here’s what you should know.
1. Always Wear Your Seatbelt
Wearing your seatbelt should always be a priority when in the car. It is not only illegal to not wear one, but it could also save you in an unexpected crash.
Passengers not wearing their seatbelts can also lead to distractions, including:
- Having to tell them to buckle up, splitting your focus between them and the road.
- Freely moving about the vehicle while driving, potentially blocking your lines of sight and splitting your focus between them and the road.
Taking the few seconds needed to ensure everyone is buckled in can keep you on track and limit any mishaps while on the go.
2. Don’t Multitask While Driving
Driving demands your full attention and concentration to do it safely. Unfortunately, many people have the dangerous habit of multitasking while driving, including:
- Talking on their phones
- Texting
- Eating
- Changing radio stations
- Looking at directions
Multitasking while driving can lead to an increased chance of accidents and seriously impede the decision-making skills needed when reacting to traffic conditions promptly. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, always minimize any other activities while driving, or pull over to ensure your focus is never split between driving and another task. Your life –and that of others– depends on it!
3. Pay Attention to the Road and Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Inattentive driving poses a serious hazard to both drivers and pedestrians. Paying attention to the road is essential, including what is in front of you and what is around you, allowing you to be a better defensive driver in the event of an obstacle in the road or an emergency.
Constantly checking your surroundings, other vehicles, weather and road conditions, street signs, and lights can help you be prepared to react to others on the road as needed.
4. Drive The Speed Limit or Slower
Driving too fast is often not only dangerous but can have legal ramifications as well. It is important to remember that the speed limit should always be taken seriously, especially when driving in inclement weather. Driving too fast can make it difficult to see hazards or take turns safely and shortens stopping distances.
When roads become wet, they become significantly more slippery and dangerous. Therefore, reducing your speed when driving in rainy or snowy conditions helps ensure that your vehicle’s tires stay in contact with the road for better control, including improved acceleration and braking.
5. Don’t Tailgate or Cut Off Other Drivers
Driving too close to the car in front of you or cutting off another driver can put you and other drivers on the road at risk. Studies have shown that tailgating ranks third among driving behaviors contributing to traffic accidents, including fatalities and serious injuries. Cutting off another driver is not only dangerous, but it can also make them feel frustrated, angry, or scared. It takes just a few extra seconds to slow down and safely switch lanes, but those few seconds are worth your safety on the road.
Respect other drivers by allowing them enough room to brake and pull safely into a new lane without sudden antics or incidents.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Even if you follow these safety tips, you may still be involved in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence. At Adams Law Firm, we strive to help people in Macon and throughout Georgia understand the legal process when someone is injured in a car accident. We consider all aspects of a potential car accident case, from expensive medical bills and lost wages to physical and emotional pain and distress. Our experience has prepared us for the individual challenges that each case presents.
Contact our office at 478-772-3939 or visit our website to get started.