The holiday season is fast approaching and while things may be different this year, many will be taking to the roadways for travel rather than using mass transit like buses, planes, or trains. Although many families have decided to postpone visits with grandma, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily staying home. Many families are using the time off to get away and get a change of scenery. Perhaps wanderlust or just quarantine fatigue, I think its safe to assume that roadways will be just as crowded as ever, especially on I-81 in Virginia.
So if you are one of the lucky ones who managed to book a quaint cabin in the mountains or an airy beach house on the Outer Banks, please be mindful of safe driving practices.
These seven deadly driving behaviors may put you or those you love in the hospital, a place that no one wants to be, especially during a pandemic.
- Speeding. Do not speed. Full stop. During the past 20 years, speeding has been determined to be a contributing factor to one-third of accidents that caused injury by the NHSTA. Do not speed.
- Tailgating or Following Too Closely. Tailgating is a major contributing factor to rear-end accidents and chain reaction accidents involving three or more vehicles. Following too closely is also a type of aggressive driving that can quickly escalate into road rage.
- Changing lanes and weaving in and out of traffic. The NHSTA estimates that 9 percent of all accidents occur during lane changes. The more often one changes lanes, the greater the risk of an accident.
- Failing to use a turn signal. Drivers who do not use turn signals put themselves and others at risk for serious injury resulting from a car accident.
- Drunk Driving. Perhaps a silver lining of Covid may be that people will stay home when drinking rather than drive drunk. Perhaps.
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs. Running red lights and stop signs could save you milliseconds of time, but you may pay with your life.
- Distracted driving due to eating, texting, talking on the phone, talking to other occupants of the vehicle, drinking, thinking about anything other than driving, using a GPS….just about anything that causes you to lose your focus on driving.
Any of these dangerous behaviors can cause a catastrophic injury or wrongful death to you, a loved one, or anyone unfortunate enough to be sharing the road with you.
If you or someone you love has been severely injured in a car accident due to someone else’s dangerous driving behaviors, call or text The Thomson Law Firm today for a FREE consultation. (540) 777-4900
