The Top Ways to Prevent Your Risk of Car Collisions

While there have been impressive safety advances in car manufacturing over the past few decades, car collisions are still responsible for nearly 1,000 deaths in Maryland every year. In 2022, 2.38 million people sustained injuries in car crashes. Whether it be due to fatigue, aggression, intoxication, inclement weather, or distraction, a car collision can leave motorists and passengers alike with a host of medical issues and loss of income. The path to getting back on your feet is unpredictable, causing anxiety about what lies in store.

The tragic part of the sad stories behind these numbers is just how many of these car accidents are preventable. Car collisions are an unfortunate reality on Maryland roadways, with numerous contributing factors such as speeding, distracted driving, and weather conditions. As a responsible motorist, it is essential to be well-versed in the best practices for maintaining safety on the road and, in turn, decreasing the likelihood of car accidents. To help you avoid car collisions and foster a safer driving environment for yourself and others, we have curated tips to prevent car wrecks in Maryland.

In the event a car crash does occur, understanding your legal rights and the importance of seeking qualified legal representation is crucial for navigating the aftermath. Our aim with this article is to empower you with knowledge necessary to prioritize road safety and, if needed, to call upon experienced attorneys for guidance and support. With these strategies in mind, you will be better equipped to handle any situation on the roadways and to protect your well-being and interests as a driver in Maryland.

At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, we understand your stress in the aftermath of an auto accident. If you have already been injured in an auto accident, contact our law firm to discuss your case free of charge. On the other hand, if you want to learn some tips to help prevent you from being involved in a car wreck, this article will be incredibly beneficial to you.

Do Not Underestimate the Value of Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means proactively avoiding car accidents. It is one thing to operate your motor vehicle safely within the limits of the law. It is another to anticipate the actions of other drivers and take measures to avoid a car collision. In some cases, there is really nothing you can do to avoid being involved in a car crash. For example, driving through a green light and a speeding vehicle takes the right-of-way away from you. In other cases, you have much more control.

To be a defensive driver, you need to pay attention to what other motorists are doing. Is another vehicle trying to pass your vehicle? Has the driver behind you been tailgating you? Are the two vehicles in front of you involved in an escalating road rage incident? Avoiding these situations can help you avoid multiple car crashes over the course of your time as a Maryland driver.

Defensive driving focuses on anticipating potential hazards and reacting accordingly to protect yourself and others on the roadways. Key defensive driving techniques include maintaining a safe following distance, scanning the road ahead and checking mirrors frequently, and being aware of other motorists’ blind spots. It is also crucial to avoid assumptions about other drivers’ intentions – instead, be prepared for any unpredictable behavior that may arise.

Driving Under the Influence

Under Maryland law, if you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you are considered DUI under Maryland law. However, your reaction time can be slowed even after a single drink. Other prescription and illicit medications can also affect your driving ability. If you have been drinking, you should not get behind the wheel of a car. You could endanger your life and the lives of others. Here are some tips to help you avoid situations where you might be tempted to drive under the influence.

• Use a Rideshare Service – If you believe you will be drinking, consider using a rideshare. Not only is this safe, but it is cost-effective when you compare it to the average cost of a DUI arrest in Baltimore County.
• Use a Designated Driver – Have a friend or relative give you a ride. Offer to return the favor on another night.
• Wait Until You are Sober – If all other options are off the table, wait until you are sober. If you decide to sober up in your car, it is important to note that it is illegal to be in active control of a running vehicle while under the influence.

With over 13,500 lives lost each year to drunk driving, about 32% of traffic fatalities involve an inebriated driver. In Maryland, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater is illegal. Consuming alcohol impairs a person’s thinking, coordination, and reflexes, all crucial abilities when operating a motor vehicle. If you are planning on drinking at your next social gathering, designate a sober driver or consider splitting a taxi, Lyft, or Uber.

Speeding

Speed is always a factor in the severity of car collisions. The faster the cars move with respect to one another, the greater the energy they generate upon impact. Most motorists exceed the speed limit occasionally, but even if you always drive within the posted speed limit, you may be moving too fast for the conditions.

It is important to note that the higher your vehicle’s speed, the less time you have to respond to new situations that arise while driving.

Here are a few tips for driving at safe speeds:

• Know the Speed Limit – Keeping the flow of traffic is not a valid defense for speeding. If you know the speed limit on the roadways where you are driving, you can use it as a baseline for calculating a safe speed.
• Reduce Speed for Special Conditions – You should drive slower in inclement weather. If there is heavy traffic, decrease your speed and increase your following distance, even if it means allowing other vehicles to get in front of you. Watch for special hazards, like construction zones, winding roads, etc.
• Use Cruise Control to Avoid Speeding – If you are on the highway, you can use cruise control to avoid the temptation of speeding.

Minimize Distracted Driving

A significant factor in many car collisions is distracted driving. Texting, talking on the phone, applying make-up, adjusting the radio, eating, and even engaging with passengers can divert your attention from the roadway and impair your ability to react in time to avoid a vehicle crash. Distracted driving encompasses anything that takes your full attention away from traffic, claiming the lives of over 3,300 individuals in 2021. Taking your eyes off the road for five seconds traveling at 55 mph equates to driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed.

To minimize distractions, put your cell phone away or switch it to silent mode, preset your GPS and radio preferences before you begin driving, and avoid engaging in activities that take your focus off the road. Given that traffic conditions can change in a split second, the best way to keep yourself safe is to put your phone down and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Your text message or phone call can wait until you reach your destination.

Prepare for Inclement Weather

Adverse weather, such as rain, sleet, snow, or fog, can cause visibility issues, negatively impacting your commute. Visibility issues can result in speed variations, creating a hazard for all motorists. Adverse weather also affects road conditions, resulting in vehicles taking longer to stop due to reduced traction. Especially in fog, a driver’s distance perception may be skewed, causing the driver not to allow enough space between vehicles.

The following safety tips can help you avoid an auto wreck due to inclement weather.

• Reduce Your Vehicle Speed – You do not have the same control over your vehicle as you do on dry roads.
• Increase Your Following Distance – It takes longer to stop on wet roads. You should double your following distance.
• Brake Sooner – As you approach an intersection, make sure you apply your brakes earlier to avoid overshooting the intersection.
• Avoid Puddles – Puddles can hide road hazards that would otherwise be visible.
• Maintain Your Equipment – Make sure you have functional windshield wipers and all your lights are in good working order.

If the forecast predicts poor weather, avoid traveling. Many experts agree that roads are the most slippery within the first 10 minutes of the beginning of a rain storm. If you must be on the road, reduce your speed. Periodically check your tire threads and brakes to help you stay safe in slippery conditions and get snow or all-weather tires for the winter months.

Baltimore, Maryland Car Accident Attorneys Providing Aggressive Counsel

As personal injury auto crash attorneys, we have reviewed hundreds of traffic crash investigation reports. Most of the time, the reports mention one or more of the above-listed factors. Safe driving habits can reduce your chance of being involved in an auto wreck, avoid traffic tickets, and reduce your insurance premiums.

Healing from a car collision can take several weeks, months, or even years, placing you on the sidelines. Vacation plans and family get-togethers may need to be canceled, leaving you disappointed. At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, we believe nobody should be burdened by expenses caused by another person’s negligence. To learn how our car accident lawyers can assist you, call us at 443-844-1528 anytime, day or night for a free 1:1 no obligation, consultation. We represent clients on a contingency basis, so our clients do not have to pay out of pocket. Call today!