When you get behind the wheel of a car to drive in Florida or anywhere, you do so with the understanding that you must adhere to all traffic laws. It’s easy to fall into bad habits while driving, such as forgetting to lock your seatbelt into place each time you head out on the road.
There’s always a risk of collision if you drive a car or ride as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. However, if you’re the driver, you can reduce your chances of causing a collision by avoiding several specific types of behavior. In a perfect world, all drivers would do the same, but, in reality, you might encounter a motorist on the road who has unsafe driving habits, which could place you at risk for serious injury if a collision occurs.
Do not fail to yield the right-of-way
One of numerous issues that often cause motor vehicle collisions in Florida and beyond is failing to yield the right-of-way. If you’re approaching an intersection to make a left turn, for instance, you must yield the right-of-way. Also, you might come to a four-way stop with a vehicle at every stop sign. In such instances, you must yield to the car on your right.
If you’re unsure who has the right-of-way, it’s always best to yield. Even if you know you have the right-of-way in a particular situation, if you suspect that another driver is trying to usurp your right-of-way, it’s safest to yield rather than insist on moving because, if the other driver doesn’t yield, a crash might occur.
Avoid these driving issues to stay safe
In addition to failing to yield a right-of-way, there are four more things you’ll want to avoid when your goal is to safely arrive to your destination. The following list shows additional issues that are among the most common causes of motor vehicle collisions throughout the country:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Navigating a turn without proper use of a signal
- Texting or engaging in other distractions at the wheel
- Traveling in excess of a posted speed limit or at speeds too fast for road conditions
Do you know that approximately one-third of all fatalities that occur in connection to motor vehicle collisions involve impaired drivers? In this state, there were more than 800 deaths in 2018 caused by intoxicated motorists. Any sort of driver negligence, such as speeding, not using a turn signal or texting while driving, places all travelers, including nearby pedestrians, at risk for severe injury because these behaviors increase the chances of collision.
Seeking support if a crash occurs
Remembering these five things can help you improve safety as a Florida driver. If another driver’s negligence causes a collision that results in injury to you or your loved one, you shouldn’t hesitate for support during your recovery. Medical teams, physical therapists, counselors and legal advocates are among those who most often are part of a post-collision support network.