Malman Law
Legal News

Monday, October 31, 2011

Avoid Car Accidents

How to Avoid Chicago Car Accidents

Some Chicago car accident attorneys might argue that talking on your cell phone and driving is as dangerous – if not more dangerous – than drinking and driving. Driving requires your undivided attention, especially on highways or while in traffic, where a small mistake can cost your life – or someone else’s. A few tips for safe driving from our Chicago car accident attorneys include:

• Remember and follow the rules that you have learned and with which you passed your driving test.
• Anticipate and react to driving hazards in plenty of time. Avoid quick or late reactions.
• Drive in a way that suits your ability and the traffic conditions. Do not drive fast if you are not comfortable with that.
• Ensure that you have plenty of sleep, particularly before long drives and take plenty of rest breaks to restore your alertness. Lack of sleep might make you drowsy and will slow down your reaction pace.
• Fiddling with the radio, CD or MP3 player while driving can be distracting. Playing your sound system too loud can inhibit your ability to hear emergency vehicle’s sirens.
• Don’t turn your head away from the road ahead when talking to any of your passengers.
• Do not get involved in road rage. Keep space from aggressive drivers.
• Be visible by staying out of other cars’ blind spots. Flash your lights or beep if you feel another car is losing sight of you.
• Drinking alcohol or taking drugs before driving is a definite ‘no.’ Being under the influence can cause you to get drowsy, hallucinate, and fail to react quickly.
• Drive defensively and do not expect other drivers to follow traffic rules.
• Allow other cars to merge ahead of you.
• Avoid insisting on your right-of-way if another driver is challenging you – yield for safety.
• Be particularly cautious around drivers who are applying makeup, conversing on car phones, reading, eating or engaging in any other “distracted driving” behaviors.
• Do not block the passing lane.
• Do not switch lanes without signaling.
• Do not block the right-hand turn lane.

From the list above, you can see how many things you need to do at one time to ensure that you are driving safely to avoid a Chicago car accident. Do you think it is possible for you to also carry on a conversation via cell phone or text message? Our Chicago car accident attorneys know the answer – a definitive NO.

Every year several people in Chicagoland, the US and worldwide die in accidents triggered by cell phone use. Banning cell phone use while driving will decrease the number of cell phone related car accidents but many people ignore the ban. While cell phones play a vital role in our society, we may end up paying a very high price for the convenience that they offer.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a Chicago car accident, contact an experience Chicago car accident attorney right away.