The new year is a time to make resolutions and set goals. As you create your priority list this year, don’t forget about the importance of safe driving. In the first half of 2021 alone, an estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes throughout the U.S., as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number of deaths has been described as a crisis.
Road Rage threatens the safety of people on the road, according to statistics compiled by Bankrate. Traffic and running late frustrates people, leading to yelling and honking. Aggressive behaviors escalate to tailgating, swerving, and blocking other drivers at high speeds. The cycle of violence results in murder, manslaughter, and serious injury. Bankrate reports that 2021 was the worst recorded year for gun violence on the road, an average of 44 people per month were shot. Aggressive driving behavior endangers everyone involved. Don’t engage. Stay cool.
In 2022, we can do better, especially in Wyoming. By resolving to be a safe driver this year, you’re doing your part to keep others on the road safe and protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some safe driving tips for the New Year—in the event that you are involved in a serious crash and suffer injuries, don’t hesitate to reach out to our car accident lawyers at the office of Freeburg Law, LLC.
Safe Driving Tips for the New Year in Wyoming
The following outlines some tips for staying safe and avoiding an accident this year.
- Service your vehicle. Outside of your actual skill and abilities as a driver is also the consideration of whether your vehicle is up for the job. Like all machines, vehicles need to be serviced and maintained regularly in order to function properly. As such, kicking off the new year by making sure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition is strongly recommended. Vehicle maintenance musts that you should prioritize in 2022 include:
- Change your oil, and continue to change your oil regularly throughout the year per your vehicle’s manual
- Maintain your brake pads—when you get your car serviced, have your brake pads inspected and don’t hesitate to replace them if they are especially worn
- Keep your tires rotated and aligned—this is one of the most important things you can do for vehicle safety
- Change out the fluid and pads on your windshield wipers so that your visibility isn’t an issue
Of course, the above maintenance isn’t inclusive, but it is some of the most important maintenance to do. Talk to your mechanic about other services your car may require.
- Wear your seatbelt. One of the easiest ways to prevent severe injuries in the event that you are involved in an accident is simply to wear a seatbelt. Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that in an accident, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45 percent and reduce the risk of serious injury by 50 percent. Those are big numbers that prove that wearing a seatbelt could save your life if you are involved in a crash! Every time you get in a car, check to make sure that you and all passengers are properly buckled before turning the engine on.
- Slow your speed. Resolving to slow your speed is a great goal in 2022. Traveling above the posted speed limit or at a speed that is excessive for conditions is a top cause of accidents. In fact, the NHTSA reports that over the past two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all accidents. Make it a commitment this year to always follow the posted speed limit and to slow your speed even more when conditions demand it, such as in the case of poor visibility or wet or wintry conditions.
- Put away distractions. In today’s world, it’s so easy to be addicted to our mobile devices, with many people checking their phone dozens of times an hour, often without even consciously doing so. Something like a text or an email can be extremely distracting, shifting attention away from whatever else the person was doing at the time of receipt. While most of the time this isn’t dangerous, when behind the wheel of a car, distractions can be deadly. Indeed, statistics show that distracted driving is just as deadly as drunk driving. Every time that you get behind the wheel of your car as a driver, commit to putting distractions away, whether that be your phone or something else. You can save your life or another’s life by always keeping your focus on the road when you’re in the driver’s seat.
- Drive sober. Most people know that drunk driving is illegal and that it is aggressively prosecuted throughout Wyoming. Not only is drunk driving against the law, though, it’s also extremely dangerous. The NHTSA reports that every single day, about 28 people die in drunk driving crashes in the United States. Getting behind the wheel after consuming an amount of alcohol that impairs your ability to respond quickly or think logically is extremely dangerous. While drinking while driving isn’t illegal unless the person is impaired, usually defined as having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher, avoiding any alcohol consumption before getting behind the wheel of a car is strongly recommended.
- Drive defensively. Finally, note that while you can implement safe driving practices on your end and do everything you can to avoid a crash, it’s impossible to predict the actions of other drivers on the road. It’s always smart to drive defensively, provide plenty of distance between yourself and other drivers, don’t always assume you have the right of way (even if you do), and keep an eye out for aggressive drivers or drivers performing unsafe or illegal maneuvers.
Get Help from an Experienced Car Accident Law Firm in Wyoming
At the office of Freeburg Law, LLC, our entire staff wishes you a safe and happy 2022. If you are involved in a crash this year, though, and you or a loved one suffers serious injuries, our experienced Wyoming personal injury lawyers will be here to help. We can assist you by investigating your case, proving liability for your accident, calculating your damages, handling your claim documents, negotiating your settlement, and more. Throughout the entire process, you can count on us to prove attentive, aggressive legal support.
To learn more about our law firm and our car accident lawyers and how we can help following an accident, reach out to us by phone or contact us online. We offer free consultations and always work on a contingency fee basis.