Summer is fast approaching and many are planning road trips with family and friends. In order to ensure a good time for all, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Prepare: Be sure to inspect your vehicle to ensure it has been properly maintained and is safe for travel. Functioning lights, properly changed oil, new windshield wipers and fluid, as well as rotated tires with good tread can be huge contributors toward safe traveling. Moreover, ensuring the hands-free features of your mobile devices are properly working before getting on the road will reduce distraction and help keep you and your family safe.
Drive safely: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2012 that speeding contributed toward over ten thousand deaths. Be sure to plan your trip so you have enough time to reach your destination without speeding. Avoid texting, eating, or drinking behind the wheel as well. If your concentration is dwindling, pull over and take a break. Limiting the occurrences of things that impair focus can be the difference between safety and injury.
Moreover, driving predictably by using turn signals, flashing brake lights, gradually slowing down, and giving adequate warnings to other drivers can reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others while on road trips.
If a traffic collision does occur, don’t panic. Call emergency responders if someone is injured and encourage the police to document the event in a report. Take pictures with your cell phone and exchange information with the other driver(s). If there are additional witnesses at the scene, try to obtain their names and contact information as well. Then, call an attorney who can explain your legal rights.
All of us at Kershaw Talley Barlow, PC wish everyone a safe and happy summer season. If you or a loved one, unfortunately, suffers injury on the road due to negligent driving, please contact our office at (916) 520-6639.