by Vicki Haskett
Key Tips on How to Reduce Your Risk of Accident on the Roads
No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, you want to ensure that you reach your destination safe and sound. Or if you’re a pedestrian, you want to cross a road unharmed. However, there might be times when you’ve gotten lax about driving or walking along a road, especially if you’ve been doing it for so long that it feels like mindless routine to you already. But as a driver or pedestrian, you can’t afford to slack off. Thus, you want to follow the tips listed below on how you can reduce your risk of accidents on the road.
Tips on How to Reduce Your Risk of Accidents on the Road If You’re a Driver
The minute that you step inside your vehicle is when you’ve already subjected yourself to the risks that all drivers face while on the road. But it doesn’t mean that you should quit driving. You can reduce the likelihood that an accident could happen to you on the road as long as you do the following:
Get enough sleep the night before you’re supposed to drive your vehicle
You might have fallen into the habit of staying up late most evenings and getting less than six hours of sleep every day as you feel that you can still function normally anyway.
● However, if you’re driving a vehicle, you’ll need your brain to be well-rested and alert so that you can spot any trouble on the road and instantly react to it.
● When you haven’t slept much, and you got yourself behind the wheel, you could end up committing drowsy driving and suddenly collide with another vehicle on the road.
● Thus, you should try to get at least eight hours of sleep when you’ll be driving your vehicle the next day. Or if you haven’t gotten enough sleep, you should consider taking public transport instead.
2. Avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible
After driving your way to some event that you attended, you drank some alcohol to get into the festive spirit of the occasion itself. But once you step into your vehicle and drive your way back home, you might suddenly crash into something and become injured in which case you should check out TrafficLawyerNewOrleans.com.
● Your brain wouldn’t be able to respond quickly to any risks that you might face while driving your way back home as it’s already intoxicated with alcohol.
● You would, therefore, want to avoid drinking alcohol every time you have to drive. If you feel like drinking though, you should leave your vehicle at home and ride a cab on your way back to your place.
Note: Underage drinking is punishable by law. Fortunately, even if you are caught drinking alcohol or taking any sort of drugs, there’s a way out for you. Click on this link http://www.giribaldiandmanaras.com/practice-areas/criminal/duidrunk-driving/underage-drinking/ to know more about how a defense lawyer can help you with your charges and save you from potential repercussions.
While it goes without saying that ride-sharing or taxis should always be your method of transportation, even when you are considering just having a few drinks, things don’t always go to plan. Ultimately, depending on state law, both DUI and DWI are used to describe impaired or drunken driving. Moreover, if you are arrested for impaired driving, it is highly likely that you will be facing serious consequences. Above all, if you are convicted or plead guilty, you will probably lose your driver's license and you will be required to pay fines and court fees. With this in mind, if you are unlucky enough to be facing DUI or DWI charges, reaching out to an experienced DUI or DWI attorney is strongly recommended.
Tips on How to Reduce Your Risk of Accidents on the Road If You’re a Pedestrian
Even if you don’t know how to drive a vehicle at all, you’re also using a road as a pedestrian. However, walking along a road also has its own set of risks which can injure you or even end your life if you’re not careful. Thus, you want to do the following to reduce the risk that you’ll get involved in an accident while you’re crossing a road:
Don’t do anything else while you’re crossing a road
You might have to reply to someone’s message on your phone, or maybe you’re listening to music while outdoors to mask the incessant chatter of people.
● However, whatever else you’re doing aside from walking in public can get you in an accident, especially when you’re crossing a road, and you haven’t noticed an approaching vehicle coming right in front of you.
● Whenever you’re out walking, you should remove all distractions that can hinder your judgment, especially if you have to cross a road.
● If you have to use your phone, you should find an area where there aren’t any vehicles around and do it there.
● You’ll have to withstand crowd chatter too if it means that you’ll be safe from being hit by a vehicle while you’re crossing a road.
2. Walk along the designated crosswalks when crossing a road
Most roads have pedestrian crosswalks for a reason. But if you aren’t walking along a pedestrian lane and crosswalk, you can easily get hit by a vehicle as its driver might not know that you’ve suddenly made your way across a road.
● Even if you haven’t been hit by a vehicle at all, you might be flagged by road safety enforcement for jaywalking if you didn’t cross a road using the designated crosswalk.
● You should, therefore, cross a road only if it has a designated crosswalk, especially if the road itself is being driven along by fast-moving vehicles.
Whether you’re a driver or a pedestrian, you should ensure that every second you spend on the road doesn’t put you in harm’s way. After all, you wouldn’t want to be included among the 20 to 50 million people who get injured or disabled every year after being involved in a road accident according to the World Health Organization. Most, if not all, accidents on the road are preventable as long as you follow the tips listed above on how you can reduce the risk of getting caught in one. But in case a road accident happens to you, calling a personal injury lawyer to help you sort out any legal matters regarding the said incident is strongly advised. Click here for more information.
Vicki Haskett
Vicki is a law writing enthusiast who's had over 25 years of experience in her field. She enjoys sharing her experiences with those who want to learn more about the legal world. In her spare time she spends quality time with her family and friends.
