Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Memorial Day is here and most of you are packing up and heading out. While good times and great memories lie ahead, so do the increased risks for car accidents. As a matter of fact, the Memorial Day holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year. With more people on our roadways, you can expect some congested traffic and some unfortunate delays. This is a time when we all need to keep our cool behind the wheel and drive with safety as a top concern.
Our Fellsmere car accident lawyers understand that traffic and congestion can get frustrating. It’s a sad fact of life. Unfortunately, some drivers let their tempers flare a little too much and put everyone else out there at risk. That’s why we’re asking drivers to show up prepared and to be ready for the inevitable to help to reduce the risks for an accident.
The most important thing you can do is to be a defensive driver. Defensive driving is all about situational awareness. Pay attention to everything on the road. If you see another driver make a mistake, be ready to get out of the way and prevent an accident. It’s also about understanding that drivers do make mistakes and not everyone is out to get you. Don’t take these mistakes personally and avoid the urge to retaliate.
You may not think you’re an aggressive driver, but you’d be surprised. Far too many drive aggressively and have no idea that they’re doing it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving happens when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” We provide guides, planners and information to law enforcement professionals and prosecutors to assist in the reduction of aggressive driving.”
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety predicts that close to 35 million people are going to venture at least 50 miles from their home over the holiday weekend. That’s a lot of cars on our road.
So how to do stay cool behind the wheel?
-Be aware of your own state of mind. If you start to feel agitated behind the wheel, pull over and take a moment to collect yourself. There’s no need to rush.
-Allow yourself extra time to get to your destination. Rushing increases aggressive feelings behind the wheel.
-Plan out your route. Make sure that you know the best way to get where you’re going. Avoid overly-congested roadways and have a backup plan, or another way to get to your destination.
-Get plenty of sleep before heading out.
-Make sure you eat a complete, well-balanced meal before hitting the road. Carry snacks to avoid that behind-the-wheel hunger.
-Never get behind the wheel if you’re upset.
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident, call Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez — 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
“It Can Wait” — A Live-Saving Message Gaining Nationwide Recognition, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, May 22, 2013
100 Deadliest Days for Teenage Drivers in Florida, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, May 19, 2013