Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Traffic accidents in Homestead, Miami, Hollywood, and other communities are one of the leading causes of injury and fatalities in Southern Florida. While you cannot change how other motorists drive, there are several things you can do this year to reduce your risk of accidents and injuries over the next twelve months:
1) Upgrade Your Skills.
If it has been a while, consider upgrading your skills by working with a professional driving instructor one-on-one or by taking racing lessons. Both will improve your confidence and your skills. Getting additional training is especially crucial if you are a new driver or if you have faced significant changes since you got your license. For example, if you have had health issues which impact your mobility, it is important to work with a professional to hone the skills you need to be safe on the roads.
2) Get Realistic About Your Weaknesses.
Everyone thinks they are a good driver, but most motorists have at least a few bad habits. This week, take an honest look at your driving. Do you tailgate, drive impatiently, or speed? Identify the bad habits you’d like to change and tackle them in 2019.
3) Take Care of Your Car.
Make sure your car is updated and is modified for your needs. Adjust the mirrors and seats so you have the best visibility and make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound so it can get you safely from one destination to the next.
4) Get Serious About Your Emotions.
Your emotions have a big impact on your driving. Angry or upset drivers may drive aggressively or speed, putting themselves and others at risk. Drivers who are depressed or have strong emotions (whether negative or positive) may be distracted or may find their driving skills affected. Don’t drive when you’re angry, distressed, or emotional in any way. It’s safest to leave the driving to someone else until you have a handle on your state.
5) Crack Down on Distracted Driving.
Even if you put your mobile devices away, distractions are everywhere. Anything which removes your focus from driving or your eyes from the road or your hands from the wheel is a dangerous distraction which can lead to a sideswipe or T-bone accident or other collision in Homestead or your community. Even daydreaming has been found to increase the risk of crashes.
Always place your full focus on your driving. Keep your eyes on the road by scanning the area around you and keep your hands on the wheel. Put away any distractions before you start your engine and if you feel distracted, avoid driving.
6) Take Care of Your Health and Sleep.
Fatigued driving in Homestead and other communities leads to many accidents each year. Fatigued drivers can easily miss important information—such as a stop sign or red light—or can even fall asleep behind the wheel. Even if you are getting enough hours of sleep every night, if you have an illness (like the flu) or a sleep disorder, you could still be dangerously fatigued.
Take care of your health and get adequate rest. If you continue to feel fatigued, avoid driving and get medical help to find out what may be causing the tiredness.
7) Drive Defensively.
One of the best ways to stay focused on driving and to help avoid accidents is to drive defensively. Thinking three or four moves ahead engages your mind with driving and can even help you address the dangers caused by other drivers’ choices. Consider taking a defensive driving class if you were not taught defensive driving.
Even if you are careful on the roads, other motorists may make poor decisions and cause an accident. If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to arrange a free, no obligation consultation.