A car accident can have expensive and painful consequences. Sometimes the results are tragic, especially when the collision could have been prevented. We must do our part to ensure that each individual is taking steps to make our roads safer.
The truth is, not all car accidents can be avoided, but it is vital that drivers take it upon themselves to be responsible, vigilant and attentive to what they are doing at all times.
The basic rules are obvious; wear your seatbelt, ensure your car is in good working condition and obey street signs. The number one rule is to always be aware of your surroundings. Check your mirrors frequently to establish your position and the position of other cars. This can help you anticipate a dangerous situation before it happens. Looking forward at the cars ahead of you will let you know if you have to slow down and start applying the brakes.
One of the most frustrating habits that drivers have is ‘sleeping in the left lane’. The left lane is used for passing; if you are not passing anyone and you are going slower that the car to your right, kindly move into the right lane. This helps to keep traffic moving and also averts road rage. When switching lanes, it is extremely important to check that the lane is clear before merging. Some drivers assume that if their signal is on, it is safe to proceed.
Another issue is tailgating in traffic. One reason why this is dangerous is that there is not enough time to safely check your blind spots before switching lanes. In the split second that your head is turned, the vehicle in front of you may be braking or has already come to a complete stop causing a rear end collision. According to statistics done by the OPP, “distracted driving accounted for more deaths in 2013 than speed-related or impaired driving incidents in crashes they investigated.”[i] Allowing distractions to affect you while driving is a personal choice and not a matter of necessity.
Planning in advance can reduce the risk to yourself, your passengers, pedestrians and other car drivers. While your car is in motion, your eyes should be paying attention to the road and both hands should be on the steering wheel. Take advantage of red lights if you have to take a bite of your sandwich or search for something that fell off the seat. Better yet, pull over and take care of your distraction before continuing on your journey.
Always check for other cars, pedestrians and cyclists. When at a red light, before driving straight when the light turns green, ensure that cars and any cyclists on either side have completely stopped. Also, make sure that there are no pedestrians who are still crossing when the pedestrian light turns red, which happens very often. When making a right turn on a green light, make sure there are no cyclists in your blind spot who might be going straight to avoid hitting the cyclist with your car. This is a very frequent issue on busy city streets. When making a right turn on a red traffic signal, make sure to stop and see whether there is anyone at a crosswalk or preparing to step onto a crosswalk. When parked, make sure to check your mirrors for any cyclists before opening your car door.
Take extra care when making left turns. When making a left hand turn at an intersection, you must proceed with caution because oncoming traffic may not be visible due to the cars in front of you also trying to make a left turn. Additionally, when making a left hand turn at an intersection on a yellow light, you should anticipate that some cars will continue through the intersection even when the light turns red. Waiting until all cars have sopped can prevent ‘T-bone’ accidents.
Advocating in personal injury law, the first step is to promote safety and avoid accidents all together. In the event that you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of a motor vehicle accident, it is advisable to hire a lawyer who will fight for you and ensure that you receive all the benefits and compensation that you are entitled to.
