Each year hundreds of preventable accidents happen on Florida roads. These accidents are costly in time and money. Here are eight great tips to keep you from being involved in one.
Think Ahead. It is important to know what the car in front of you is doing. But, if you can do this and periodically glance up at the road in front of them, you will be better prepared to hit the brakes in case they stop short. By watching the road up ahead for brake lights, you can avoid rear-ending the car in front of you.
Avoid the Fast Lane. Unless you’re passing, avoid the far left lane. Many accidents occur in the far left lane because the vehicles are traveling faster over there and drivers in that lane only have one “exit option” – swerving right. If you travel in the center lane, you can merge into either the left or right lane to avoid disaster.
Keep Both Hands on the Wheel. It’s a well-known fact that text messaging or talking on a cell phone greatly increases your chances of being in an auto accident. So do things like doing your make-up, changing CDs, or fiddling with the radio. If you keep your hands at 9 and 3, you are able to maintain the best control of the vehicle and will be able to turn the wheel either way. Sometimes, if you have only one hand on the wheel, you are not able to react as quickly to get out of the way.
Remember Your Blind Spot. No matter how well you’ve adjusted your side and rear view mirrors, there will always be a portion of your side that you will not be able to see. Pay attention to cars traveling in and out of your blind spots and be extra careful when merging into another lane. Also remember that all other vehicles on the road have blind spots too – try not to hang out there.
Watch for Drifting Cars. We’ve all been behind the driver who seems to drift in and out of the lane and wondered how to best get away from him. Often, these drivers are tired, drunk, or distracted. Your best option is to steer clear of the driver. If you cant avoid him altogether, pay attention to where he is at all times.
Move Closer to the Wheel. Positioning your seat so that your wrist rests on top of the wheel when your arm is outstretched gives you maximum arm movement in the case that you need to make an evasive maneuver. This is the position that NASCAR drivers choose.
Maintain Your Vehicle. Always make sure that you’re keeping up with the recommended maintenance on your car. By ensuring that your brakes are in working order and your fluids are topped off you limit the number of things that can go wrong.
Stick to Good Driving Conditions. We can’t always avoid driving in the rain or at night – but you should when you can. If you have the choice of running an errand tonight or tomorrow during the day, you should wait until daylight. This way you are more visible to other cars on the road and better able to get out of the way in the case of emergency.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident which could have been avoided, contact the offices of David M. Benenfeld for a free consultation. WE can help you get the compensation and representation you deserve.
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