Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
On the 4th of November, we’re going to close out Daylight Savings Time. Okay. Maybe it’s not going to be that exciting as most of us will be sleeping when it happens, but quietly during the night your risks for a car accident will increase.
Our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers are asking all drivers to be more attentive for pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers along our roadways when driving during the evening and early-morning hours.
In November of every year, we notice a significant increase in the number of traffic accidents. Experts conclude that this is largely the result of Daylight Savings Time ending. As the sun sets early, more drivers will be out in the dark. It’s not that drivers don’t know what they’re doing, it’s that they forget to focus when the sun sets. The truth of the matter is that drivers are less likely to see roadway hazards at night. When drivers don’t see hazards, many of them tend to forget they’re there.
Officials with The Weather Channel are here to offer you some helpful driving tips for when you venture out during the evening or during the early morning hours.
The first thing you’re going to want to do, before the time change happens, is to get your car ready. By this we mean that you’re going to want to make sure your headlights, taillights and blinkers are working properly and are clean. You should also clean your windows (inside and out) along with your mirrors. This is going to help to ensure that you see everything around you.
We oftentimes talk about the risks associated with drinking and driving. We’ll they’re still prevalent now, meaning that you need to remain sober behind the wheel during all hours of the day. As a matter of fact, alcohol-related car accidents are more likely to happen at night.
Did you know that smoking cigarettes and other nicotine products while driving can be dangerous, too? That’s right. Smoke’s nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.
If you have any doubt in your mind about your headlights — turn them on! You should even drive with your headlights on during the day. Headlights help you to see your surroundings and they help others to see you!
If an oncoming car does hot lower beams from high to low, avoid glare by watching the right side of the road and using it as a steering guide.
Interesting Daylight Savings Time Facts:
-Residents in both Hawaii and Arizona don’t observe Daylight Savings Time.
-The U.S. Territories of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico don’t observe Daylight Savings Time.
-There’s no federal rule that mandates that a state has to observe Daylight Savings Time.
If you or someone in your family has been injured in a car accident, contact the injury lawyers of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
St. Lucie Accident Blamed on Red-Light Runner, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, October 28, 2012
Car Accidents in Florida More Likely in Rainy Weather, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, October 16, 2012