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Annually, there is over 6 million car accidents in the US. These accidents account for 3 million injuries, over 2 million of which are permanent. The vast majority of car accidents are the result of circumstances which could have easily been avoided. About 40% of fatalities are due to drunk drivers, 30% are due to speeding, and another 33% are the result of reckless drivers losing control of their vehicle and causing an accident. Many of those situations are attributed to drivers being distracted or impaired in some way. Activities such as eating or drinking, checking maps, playing with the radio, or conversing with passengers can all be a distraction. Using a cell phone accounts for 25% of distractions.
There are some precautions you can take to help prevent a car accident:
Don't drink and drive Alcohol is a major contributing factor to auto accidents. Nationwide almost 80% of all auto accidents have alcohol involved. Police everywhere are cracking down on drinking and driving, its something that should be taken extremely seriously. Our law firm handles many cases where someone was injured due to someone else drinking and getting behind the wheel.
Keep distractions to an absolute minimum Learn the buttons on your cell phone to avoid taking your eyes off the road if you must use it. We recommend using a hands free device with your cell phone, not only are they safer to talk on while driving in some places its the law. Washington DC requires a hands free device to be used at all times while driving. Some people have suggested that even that is unsafe, as a good rule of practice we would advise using your cell phone to a minimum while driving. Its another major contributing factor in auto accidents. Text messaging while driving is also a major distraction and should not be done while driving, if you have text message just pull over so you can safely text message.
Keep up with your vehicle maintenance This includes checking your tires and brakes, oil changes, and regular tune-ups. While your filling up your gas tank take the opportunity to check your fluid levels. Replaces your wiper blades when they begin to show signs of wear.
Pay close attention at intersections 23% of accidents occur at an intersection. Most can be prevented by slowing down and looking left, then right, and then left again. Major cities require more attention than normal, always use extreme caution. Baltimore especially can be difficult due to one way streets, close areas and busy intersections. Always pay attention and use full concentration while driving in a congested area.
Do not encourage aggressive drivers A recent study found Baltimore ranked 15th worst in the country for incidents of road rage. Running stop signs, speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic are just a few tell-tale signs of an agressive driver. Getting angry or relatiating only serves to make the situation more dangerous.
Keep a safe distance between vehicles in front of you For every 10 mph you are traveling, keep 1 car length between you. Increase this distance in hazardous weather conditions.
Maintain a constant speed Slowing down or speeding up irregularly can become dangerous to other drivers and yourself.
Check your mirrors about every 15 seconds Before setting out make sure they are properly adjusted. Make sure to check mirrors and blindspots before changing lanes, and signal well ahead of time before doing so.
Stay visible Use your headlights in bad weather such as rain or fog, and when the sun is rising or setting. Night driving can be more dangerous, when possible stick to driving the during the day. Road signs and other cars become harder to see in the dark, as do pedestrians.
Consider taking a defensive driving class This class will provide information that will help you when the unexpected occurs on the roadway. It will teach you to become a more responsible driver and to respect drivers around you. You will learn techniques to make you a better driver.
Avoid traveling at excessive speeds Fast speeds reduce your reaction time and increases impact and injuries. Speed limits are set for a reason, they are found to be the safest speed to travel in that particular area.
Its been found that 25% of all drivers were involved in a car accident in a 5 year period. Taking these simple steps with greatly reduce the likelihood you will be involved in an accident.
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