As we enter the second week of January, and the new year isn’t so “new”, some of our resolutions might already be falling by the wayside. Those protein shakes for dinner every night are already getting bland, and making time to work out five nights a week? That lasted for…3 days. Whatever the resolutions were for 2021, we understand that new goals can be hard to keep long-term, and some modifications more often than not must be made in order to make them a part of your lifestyle.
Some resolutions though are worth sticking too, no matter how hard it is to break old habits and build new ones. Accidents, and everything that comes with them, are not what you want on top of an already difficult start to 2021, and you can protect yourself if you know what to watch out for. With COVID risks and so many unprecedented events in our lives right now, these resolutions are a great way to keep yourself and the ones you love protected while behind the wheel. Give yourself the peace of mind that you’re taking at least some small steps toward safety for your family:
Say no to driving while distracted (or exhausted)
Texting and driving, reaching to change the radio station to a better song, grabbing your phone “just to see who’s calling,” driving on little or no sleep, or turning for a quick moment to say something to a backseat passenger can lead to a dangerous situation in the blink of an eye. When driving, your focus needs to be on the road. Everything else can wait. If you absolutely HAVE to deal with a distraction (such as a crying child or an emergency phone call), then pull over and take the time to deal with it in a safe place away from other drivers and highway risks. If you feel yourself getting too tired to safely pay attention to the road, pull off and rest in a public area until you feel like you can handle your car safely. Nothing is worth the lives of you, your passengers, or another driver.
Remember to watch for red
Much like the distraction issue, intersections (red lights and stop signs) tend to be common sites for accidents. Whether from failing to pay attention, driving too fast, or simply getting caught in poor weather conditions, running a red light or a stop sign is one of the biggest causes for collisions on the road. Unfortunately, many of these intersection accidents turn serious, because it means a driver hitting someone at either a high speed, and/or hitting another vehicle that was already stopped. Make sure you are paying close attention to all that red when you are behind the wheel of your car. Saving a few seconds by speeding up to get through a light isn’t as important as your safety.
Be a rule follower
If you took driver’s education courses at any point, you know how to read road signs and understand speed limits. If you were a really great driving student, you might even know how to parallel park well on the first try. However, the longer you drive and the more you fall into habits, the more dangerous you can be behind the wheel of a car. Driving too fast, especially during poor weather conditions, is a huge factor in many serious accidents. When you are driving, pay close attention to all road signs, including those specific to areas of the road that may hold hazards (sharp curves, steep grades, etc.). If the weather turns wet or windy, adjust your speed and make sure you pull off if visibility is limited or you feel you can no longer safely keep control of your car. You are far better to arrive a few moments later at your destination and be there safely than to push in a time crunch and end up in the hospital (or worse).
Happy driving and stay safe in this new year. Last year was hard, and we are all hopeful for brighter days ahead as we push into 2021. While much has changed about the world around us, the legal representation you count on and trust at Sessums Law Group has not. Remember, WE STAND FOR YOU! We represent clients throughout the greater Tampa and Sarasota area, and we will help you walk through the court process smoothly and as stress-free as possible, so you can move on with life.
Here’s to a great year ahead, and good luck with all of your resolutions (especially the ones behind the wheel).