Auto Accident Safety Tips

Some accidents are unavoidable but the following statistics show how important it is to do everything possible to stay safe on the roadways of the Lone Star State. In Texas, based on reportable crashes in 2021:

• 1 person was killed every 1 hour 57 minutes
• 1 person was injured every 2 minutes 12 seconds
• 1 reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds

To protect yourself and your passengers, here are some sobering trends reported by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). Follow these 5 auto accident safety tips to increase your chances of arriving alive.

1. Don’t Drive Drunk

Alcohol impairment kills 29 people in the U.S. every single day. That’s one person who dies every 50 minutes. Fortunately, fatalities from drunk-driving are declining and have dropped by a third in the last 30 years. However, it continues to take 10,000 lives annually and cause billions of dollars in damage. The best thing you can do to avoid becoming a statistic is staying sober, stay alert, and stay alive.

2. Don’t Drive Distracted

Most of us have been guilty of taking our eyes off the road to read a text, take a sip of coffee or brush on makeup. It seems like a great way to multitask on long commutes in backed up traffic. The truth is, every time you divide your attention, you risk an accident. Distracted driving is extremely deadly and claimed 3,450 lives in 2016. Pull over to answer a text or turn off your phone when you’re on the road. Avoid eating, applying makeup and other activities that take your attention away from the road and put yourself and others at risk.

3. Follow the Speed Limit

If you feel the need for speed, ignore the urge and live longer. Speeding is a top killer in auto accidents. In 2016, speeding claimed 10,111 lives and was behind 27 percent of all traffic fatalities. The modern world is moving faster all the time, resulting in complicated lives with overextended schedules. Nonetheless, speeding up on the highway isn’t the smart way to save time. It’s more important to arrive alive than to practice your Grand Prix skills on a busy highway. Take a breath, relax and leave a little earlier so you have plenty of time to get where you’re going.

4. Wear Your Seat Belt

You can’t control many of the factors leading up to an accident. However, like paying attention and staying sober, wearing a seat belt is a conscious decision that greatly increases your chances of survival in the event of a major crash. In 2016, seat belts saved about 15,000 lives. Many people understand the concept of how seat belts minimize injury in the event of an accident and about 90 percent of drivers and passengers use them. That leaves 27.5 million people that don’t buckle up. This is an easy fix that’s proven to save lives, and it’s the law in Texas, so click it or get a ticket.

5. Don’t Drive Drowsy

Drowsy driving killed nearly 800 Americans in 2017. This is tragic since it’s 100 percent avoidable. Whether you have a new baby at home or work an extra drive, there’s simply no excuse to get behind the wheel if you’re too tired to function properly. Become part of the solution and get some sleep for the next midnight run for burgers, groceries or diapers.

Injured In An Auto Accident?

The annual vehicle miles driven in Texas in 2017 reached nearly 275 billion, up 1.22 percent over the prior year. With the increased mileage come increased risks, and a need to follow these auto accident safety tips.

If you’re doing everything you can to follow these auto accident safety tips on the roadways and are the victim of a careless driver, contact Thompson Law at  866-293-4768 today to find out how to protect your rights and recover the damages you deserve.