Top Tips for Safe Travel During the Summer

Summer is most definitely here. And if you are going to do a bit of traveling here in the Palmetto State or elsewhere, you should be aware that you won’t be alone. You’ll be on the road with thousands of others with the same inclination to get out of the house and hit the road. Of course, with the increased traffic, it’s very likely there will also be an increase in the number of traffic accidents. If you have been involved in such an accident, don’t hesitate to contact Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers today.

Although some accidents are impossible to avoid, there are some safe choices we can make as drivers that can make a difference on the road. So, here are some tips to keep in mind while traveling this summer:

• Commit Yourself to Safety

Unfortunately, you have no control over how others drive. Despite the risks, people are going to drive while intoxicated, use their phones while driving, and drive at excessive speeds. The only thing you have control over is yourself, and you can make a conscious decision to drive safely.

Don’t rush or take unnecessary risks. Driving carefully and defensively and doing everything you can to avoid accidents and the serious injuries they might cause are your best option for staying safe on the road.

• Check the Weather Before You Leave

Inclement weather often plays a role in car accidents. Take a moment to check the weather report and make sure you are not heading right into heavy rain or a storm with high winds. Who wants the stress of driving through a storm anyway? If the forecast doesn’t look good, make the safe choice and wait for clearer skies.

• Avoid Peak Hour Driving If Possible

Studies show that if you can avoid driving during peak traffic hours, you can significantly reduce your risk of being in an accident. Morning and evening commutes tend to be the most dangerous times to drive, even in the summer. And who wants to be in the middle of a bunch of traffic congestion? Try to plan your travel days to avoid driving during rush hour.

• Leave Your Phone Alone

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 Americans in 2020. Cell phones are a leading source of driving distractions. The good news is that cell phones can be easily put away while driving. If you are using a GPS system on your phone to navigate, type in the relevant information before you start driving. If you need to make an urgent call, find a safe place to pull over. Don’t be a hazard to yourself or others.

Be especially careful not to text while driving. In one study conducted by The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting was found to be the highest risk behavior that involves the phone.

• Avoid Aggressive Drivers

We’ve all been aggressively tailgated at one point or another, no matter how fast or slow we like to drive. The best thing one can do in these situations is to simply ignore them. Don’t speed up for their benefit or slow down to aggravate them more. If you can, find a safe method of getting out of their way. If an aggravated driver is trying to get in a shouting match, again, the best thing to do is to diffuse the situation by not engaging.

• Follow the Rules of the Road

The rules of the road are there for a reason. They significantly reduce the risk of a traffic accident occurring. So, make sure to come to a complete stop at stop signs, obey all traffic signals, and don’t speed. By the way, it has been illegal to text while driving in South Carolina since 2014, so follow that rule too.

• Do Not Drink and Drive

Always drink responsibly. If you are drinking away from home, find someone sober to drive you home, or call a taxi or rideshare car. The evidence is crystal clear that driving while intoxicated greatly increases your chances of causing or being involved in an accident.

If You Have Been in an Accident, Contact the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers

Even if you have followed all the rules of the road and done everything in your power to drive safely, the actions of other drivers can still result in an accident. If you sustain injuries in an accident that is not your fault, be sure to contact the Myrtle Beach accident attorneys of the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers at (843) 839-4795 for a confidential consultation.