Summer is a busy time on the roads here in Colorado, and for good reasons—many people flock to the beautiful mountains of the region to enjoy summertime hiking, and families come and go to and from the area to escape on a summer vacation once the kids are finally out of school. Living in such a beautiful area that attracts so many visitors has its own set of consequences. Busier roads mean everyone is at greater risk of being involved in a car accident.
Car accidents can lead to serious injury or death when the driver is unprepared or driving unsafely. However, they can be easily avoided if the driver and passengers alike take proper precautions. Here are some driving tips to avoid a car accident this summer, and to keep you and your family safe.
Perform Regular Maintenance Checks
Always take in your vehicle for regularly scheduled maintenance checks to make sure it is in properly working order. You wouldn’t let your family get into a vehicle that you knew was unsafe, right? Ignoring a safety inspection can be just as bad. Regular tune-ups, oil changes and tire rotations go a long way to help you avoid a breakdown on the road. Breaking down on the highway makes your car especially vulnerable to an accident from an unexpected collision with oncoming traffic. Check with your manufacturer’s guide to see how often you should inspect every aspect of your vehicle.
Always Buckle Up
Never, ever begin driving a vehicle without checking that everyone in the car is securely buckled in. Set a good example by always buckling in your own seat belt first thing each time you get into a car. For child passengers, take extra care in ensuring their car seats and booster seats are properly installed and functioning.
Stay Alert
Car trips en route to a vacation destination can sometimes be extremely long and tiresome. If you’re a parent, you are already managing your children and checking in on their safety—driving on top of that is a lot to expect. Take regular breaks to make sure you’re staying alert on the road, and stop whenever necessary if you are feeling too tired to drive safely.
Drive Defensively
Always be aware of what the other drivers around you are doing. Remember that you’re not the only one on the road; it can be annoying when a driver is going well below the speed limit, but tailgating and passing will put your family or other passengers at risk. As the driver, your focus needs to be on the road at all times in order to avoid a car accident. Always be aware of pedestrians and bikes, and never expect these or other drivers to also be obeying traffic laws. If you plan to drive safely in case of others’ mistakes, you are sure to avoid many dangerous situations.
Contact Heuser & Heuser Personal Injury Lawyer
Of course, no matter how careful you are on the road, you can’t control road conditions or other drivers—sometimes accidents just happen. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, Heuser & Heuser of Colorado Springs and Pueblo will give you the personal legal attention you need to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
