Defensive Driving: How to Save Lives

December 12, 2016 | By Colombo Law

As you travel in your car each day, you encounter a number of unknown hazards before arriving at your destination safely. While wild animals, unforeseen objects in the road, sudden traffic stops, and the weather conditions may cause car accidents, but there are things that can be done to prevent these accidents from occurring. Recently, two young adults lost their lives in Cabell County, West Virginia in a tragic accident when their vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and drove into a dump truck. Law enforcement reported that the operator of the dump truck attempted to prevent the accident, moving onto the shoulder in an attempt to avoid the other vehicle. While this unfortunate accident was not avoided, defensive driving saves lives each day and prevents thousands of accidents on a yearly basis.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a “set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions.” Defensive driving is crucial in many instances to protect yourself and the people you care about. Some ways you and your loved ones can protect yourselves and others by defensive driving include:

• Anticipating another driver’s wrongdoing. While there certainly are rules of the road, many people do not follow them. Motor vehicles are a main source of transportation in the United States. We live in an age in which people get extremely busy and everything has a sense of urgency. Therefore, defensive driving requires you to eliminate distractions and anticipate another’s wrongdoing like running a stop light or stop sign.
• Be able to control your vehicle. As stated earlier in this post, unforeseen hazards often present themselves and are beyond anyone’s control. To give yourself and others the highest probability of escaping an accident, it is important to drive at a speed in which you remain in control of your vehicle at all times. It is also important to follow other vehicles at a safe distance so that you can safely stop your car in an emergency.
• Prepare for bad weather conditions. It is important to plan your trip by checking weather conditions ahead of time, even if your trip is routine. When adverse weather conditions are present, you should anticipate that there will be several accidents or other delays that will lengthen your total travel time. Leave early on these days and slow down to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Again, you should be sure you are eliminating any distractions by turning down any music and focusing on the road ahead. Preparation also includes considering a plan which includes packing an emergency safety bag in case a highway is closed and you need to take an alternate route.

Contact Colombo Law

Colombo Law is a full service personal injury law firm located in and around West Virginia. We represent victims who are physically or financially injured as a result of negligence. For a risk-free initial consultation, contact Colombo Law today.