Don't Fast-Track Your Way To A Car Accident

Accident Fast-Track #1: Texting While Driving (image)

Could you be on the fast-track to a car accident?

You might be, especially if any of what we say in this article is true to you. Not only are you putting your own life and welfare at risk, but you are endangering the lives of other road users too. From your fellow car drivers to those poor pedestrians who are only trying to cross the road, you need to take heed of the following if you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a phone call from the Sibley Dolman Law Group (hint: they are personal injury lawyers).

Here are some of the reasons why you might be fast-tracking your way to a car accident.

You can’t keep your hands off your phone. You hear the familiar text jingle of your phone, and you just have to see who has texted you. Your phone rings, and you pick it up to take the call. You see something awesome outside, and you ready your phone to take the pic. All of these things are perfectly fine, of course, but not when you are behind the wheel of the car. Despite the temptation to use your phone, don’t! Invest in a hands-free kit for your phone calls, and pull over if you want to check your texts or take a pic. You are only hurtling into disaster otherwise.
Your car is a death trap. Particularly when buying a used car, great care needs to be taken. You don’t want to drive something that is no longer fit for purpose, as your life (and the lives of those around you) may be in danger. Check out our guide to buying a used car to steer you in the right direction when choosing a second-hand motor, and take note of our advice regards checking the vehicle history report. People’s lives depend on it!
You drive like a jackass. You swerve in and out of traffic in an effort to hurry along your journey. You speed through traffic lights when the lights are approaching red. You don’t give a hoot about the speed limit, enjoying the speed rush, despite the threat of a fine (and jail time). You imagine yourself on a race track, and merrily overtake other drivers in an attempt to win the race that is going on inside your head. You beep angrily at pedestrians, cyclists, wandering animals, and anything else that gets in your way. You are a jackass, and you probably shouldn’t be allowed on the road.
You drive under the influence. We are talking both drink and drugs, either one of which can affect your ability to drive and your reaction times. By getting behind the wheel when high or intoxicated, you are in danger of becoming another statistic; one of the thousands of people a year who is responsible for an injury or loss of life because of this foolish behavior. Leave your car at home when going out partying, and take a cab when you need to get from A to B, for all of our sakes!