We always talk about what happens once you get in an accident. Here are some driving tips to help you drive more defensively and keep you and your passengers a little safer while on the road.
When we get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, we are trusting that other drivers will drive in a safe manner, following the rules of the road, staying alert, and not engaging in reckless driving behaviors. But that is not always the case.
Accidents happen for many reasons, one of which is reckless driving. This refers to a wanton disregard for others’ safety and the rules of the road – these drivers understand the risks of their behaviors but continue to operate a vehicle in a dangerous manner.
When we talk about distracted driving, most will think of using a mobile device – talking, texting, emailing – but there are many activities that can distract a driver and lead to a serious accident.
Have you ever been driving on a two-lane road, come up behind a car that is going at a slow speed and you are not able to pass? Maybe someone is driving erratically or an accident on the road has caused you unavoidable delays. These can be maddening situations. You might yell, honk the horn, or beat on the steering wheel to vent. Others may escalate to road rage.
December is a festive time with many holidays where people engage in drinking alcohol. It makes it a good time for alcohol awareness campaigns such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving,” and National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
No matter the name of the campaign, the bottom line is that drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. Alcohol use impairs judgment, delays reaction times, and can result in deadly consequences.
Roughly, ¼ of auto accidents are caused by adverse weather.
The USDOT Federal Highway Administration data lists an average of 1,836 deaths and 136,309 injuries per year due to snowy and icy roads. These figures represent the 10 year average between 2005 and 2014.
Smartphones allow us to be connected all the time no matter where we are, including behind the wheel of a vehicle. This means that far too many drivers have the potential of driving distracted, and the statistics paint an alarming picture, too, with cell phone usage accounting for 14% of fatal driver distracted crashes in 2017.
Five of the greatest dangers for teen drivers to contend with are: driving impaired, not using a seat belt, distracted driving, speeding and driving with passengers in the vehicle. What do you see wrong in the picture above?
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of teen crashes and cell phone use is a major contributor. However, another distracted driving behavior leading to teen car accidents is passenger interaction. Studies show that a teen’s chances of getting into an accident increase with each additional teenage passenger in the car.
