When You’re Driving, Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes
by Amber Cortez | August 27th, 2021 | Driving Tips
No one is perfect, and mistakes can happen at any given moment – especially when you’re driving.
A recent report by Esurance found that in the United States, 77% of drivers have been in at least one car crash. Furthermore, the study also determined that every driver’s chance of being involved in a car accident is one in 366 for every 1,000 miles driven.
You might be thinking, “I’m a safe driver, I know how to safely travel through my part of the Rio Grande Valley,” but consider this: 2020 traffic crash facts from the Texas Department of Transportation report that here in the Lone Star State, 1 reportable crash occurs every 1 minute 7 seconds.
With years of experience handling car crash cases, the reliable car accident lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys in McAllen know how common these types of incidents are.
Even the most experienced motorists can sometimes have a hard time remembering every detail covered in Driver’s Ed – heck, the same can be said for some of those who have recently graduated Driver’s Ed.
To help kick some bad habits that commonly form after some time behind the wheel, we’ve put together a quick list going over the 3 most common mistakes made by drivers and ways to avoid them.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Driving
1. Distracted Driving – Cellphones have come a long way in the past 20 years. From a never-ending variety of apps to hours of online content, these devices have made it easier than ever to stay connected with each other at all times – even when driving, unfortunately.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 368 people were killed in car crashes involving distracted driving last year.
Bearing all of that in mind, most auto manufacturers these days equip their vehicles with hands-free Bluetooth capabilities to help drivers keep their eyes on the road. Taking advantage of these useful features reduces your chances of becoming distracted and makes it easier to take calls or change music.
It should be noted that distracted driving isn’t limited to scenarios involving phones. This can also include things such as eating while driving or anything else that takes your attention away from driving. To keep you and your passengers safe, remember that your priority when driving should always be the road and your surroundings.
2. Sudden Stops – It happens to all of us – maybe something/someone in your vehicle prompts you to slam the brakes for whatever reason, or perhaps you have to make a sudden stop in a parking lot because you noticed the perfect parking spot at the very last minute.
Worst case scenario, there’s another driver behind you (who may be distracted) that wasn’t prepared for your abrupt stop, and suddenly, BAM! You’re involved in a rear-end collision.
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that rear-end collisions account for approximately 23 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States. These types of accidents result in approximately 2,000 deaths and 950,000 injuries across the nation.
It’s a common occurrence, but that doesn’t mean it’s unavoidable. In addition to being aware of the vehicle in front of you, motorists should also be vigilant of the drivers in their rear-view mirror. Keep in mind that they need time to react to your actions after they perceive them.
Also, remember that you should keep at least two seconds between yourself and the car in front of you. This can give you the time necessary to react appropriately in the event that the driver in front of you makes an abrupt stop.
3. Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and/or Road Signs – When it comes to road signs, the average motorist is able to interpret and follow directions to maintain the flow of traffic, but this isn’t always the case, especially for older drivers.
As we age, our chances of being seriously injured or dying in a traffic accident increase. Older drivers are more at risk when it comes to failing to recognize road signs, leading to some serious car accidents.
Data from the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Records Information System points out that failure to yield is a common occurrence with senior drivers.
Non-senior drivers in Texas are just as guilty in 2020, with research showing that over 7,000 motorists were involved in crashes due to disregarding traffic signals/road signs.
Keep yourself safe by driving at or under the speed limit. Doing so will help you better identify any upcoming signs that you must follow. When you speed, you give yourself less time to process road signs. Additionally, driving slower during inclement weather can also help increase your visibility to better spot any traffic signals or road signs.
Call the Reliable McAllen Car Crash Lawyers of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys If You’re Involved in a Car Accident
With car accidents happening at such a high frequency, it helps to remember that experienced legal representation is just a call away.
The compassionate McAllen attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys fight hard to represent car crash victims. If you’re suffering as the result of another driver’s negligence, call us today to learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to.
