Increasing Your Safety While Traveling Via Motor Vehicle

 Posted on September 12,2018 in Driving Safety

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), 1.3 million people die in motor vehicle collisions each year. That staggering statistic consists of an average of 3,287 deaths each day. Here in the United States, an average of 2.35 million people are injured each year in motor vehicle collisions. 

Considering the incredible loss of life that occurs around the world due to motor vehicle collisions, it is easy to find yourself wondering what you can do to remain safe while traveling in a vehicle? Below are some simple tips that could help you and your family remain safe while driving this fall: 

Remaining Safe in Your Vehicle

With a staggering amount of reckless drivers on American roadways, remaining safe while driving is not always in one's own control. Still, here are a few ways you can decrease the risk of injury that you and your family face every time you travel:

Buckle In: When traveling by automobile, the use of a seatbelt restraint system can be the difference between suffering minor or severe injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1975 to 2008, seatbelts saved approximately 255,000 American passengers from lethal injury. Next time you or your family elect to travel by car, check to make sure every passenger is taking full advantage of their safety restraint system. 

Avoid Distractions: In 2016, over 3,400 Americans were killed due to distracted driving. Forms of distraction that drivers routinely engage in include utilizing one’s smartphone while driving, eating or drinking while driving, and other various activities that divert your hands and/or eyes away from the wheel. Avoiding distractions as you drive can save your life and the lives of others. 

Do Not Drive Recklessly: While American roadways are always a dangerous place, due to the presence of reckless drivers, you can do your part not to contribute to the problem. When driving, keep your distance from other vehicles, avoid passing on double lines or sharp corners, and avoid the instinct to react to reckless drivers on the road. Keeping your cool can make all the difference in keeping you and your family safe. 

Slow Down: When it comes to reckless driving, navigating your vehicle at aggressive speeds can be one of the most dangerous things you can do. Exceeding the speed limit reduces reaction time and makes changing directions more difficult for the driver and the vehicle, endangering every other driver on the road. Exceeding the speed limit can be especially dangerous in the greater Chicago area, where inclement weather leads to increased traffic fatalities during winter months. Speed limits are designed to limit motor vehicle collisions; it is wise to follow them. 

Contact a Lake County Personal Injury Lawyer 

Every year, thousands of Illinoisans are injured in motor vehicle collisions. If your family is impacted by injuries suffered in a car crash, it is critically important to pursue strong legal representation. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our legal team has years of experience representing victims of automobile accidents. To set up a free consultation with a Waukegan personal injury attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303.

Sources: 

http://asirt.org/Initiatives/Informing-Road-Users/Road-Safety-Facts/Road-Crash-Statistics

http://www.youthforroadsafety.org/news-blog/news-blog-item/t/seatbelts_saving_thousands_of_lives_around_the_world_everyday

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving