Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of injury and death in North Carolina. That is especially tragic because many could be avoided if drivers took more care behind the wheel. Research showsthat driver error contributes to 94 percent of all car accidents, with a majority of collisions resulting from inattention or distracted driving.
At the law firm of Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., our legal team encourages all motorists in North Carolina to practice defensive driving to keep themselves and others safe.
What Is a Safe Driving Technique?
Using defensive driving techniques to anticipate and respond to potentially dangerous situations is the best way to stay safe while driving in North Carolina. Being proactive and prioritizing safety over speed allow defensive drivers to be better prepared on the road and less likely to be involved in a crash.
To Avoid Crashes, a Defensive Driver Should Take These Steps
Use these techniques to stay safe and avoid car accidents in North Carolina:
- Be mindful of your surroundings. Being aware of road and weather conditions and other drivers, road users, and pedestrians can help you anticipate potential hazards and drive accordingly.
- Eliminate distractions. Because distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in North Carolina, minimizing distractions is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe on the road. Put your phone away, set your music before you start driving, keep your eyes on the road, and do not eat or drink when you are behind the wheel.
- Do not count on other drivers to be safe. You cannot control what other drivers do, but you should expect the unexpected. Be mindful of the possibility that another driver will do something reckless or dangerous or disobey traffic laws.
- Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others. Following too closely behind other cars or cutting them off in traffic gives you little room to maneuver if something goes wrong. Leave plenty of space between you and the next vehicle to slow down or come to a complete stop if necessary.
- Do not speed. Speeding makes it harder to control your vehicle and can increase the severity of injuries in a crash. Following posted speed limits keeps you and others on the road safe.
- Be careful when traveling through another vehicle’s blind spots. If you must drive in another vehicle’s blind spot, do so quickly to minimize the chance of the other driver not seeing you.
- Report careless drivers to the authorities. A driver who is impaired, distracted, aggressive, or otherwise careless or reckless is a hazard to everyone on the road. If you see a driver behave this way, report it to the police.
- Stay in the right lane unless you are passing. Lingering in the left lane when you are not passing another vehicle disrupts the traffic flow and can cause other drivers to pass you on the right, which is dangerous. Stay in the slow lane when driving unless you are actively passing another vehicle.
Contact Our Proven Car Accident Lawyers in NC Today
The experienced North Carolina car accident lawyers at Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., can help you seek compensation for your injuries if you have been hurt in a car accident caused by another driver. Contact our officetoday for a consultation.
A native North Carolinian and a fourth-generation lawyer, Ralph W. Meekins literally had the desire to help those who are not able to help themselves as well as to be a practical life adviser to people in his blood.
