Tips for staying safe while traveling by car

You may assume that the winter months are the most dangerous time to drive in New York state. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, August is actually the most dangerous month to spend time on the road. Furthermore, Saturday is statistically the most dangerous day to drive. This is because there are more people driving during the summer months and on weekends.

How to stay safe while in a vehicle

There are many easy steps that you can take to stay safe while driving or traveling in a vehicle. For example, you should always wear a safety belt, drive at a speed that is appropriate for road conditions and keep your focus on what is going on around you.

You only think that you’re safer than other drivers

According to a representative from the NHTSA, 75% of drivers say that they are safer than the other motorists who they share the road with. Furthermore, a AAA study found that 82% of respondents agreed that distracted driving was a problem while almost three-quarters agreed that speeding was a problem. However, the majority of respondents said that they used a phone while driving, and 20% said that they drove more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. In some cases, they exceeded the speed limit while driving in residential neighborhoods.

While you can take many steps to control your own behaviors while behind the wheel, there is little that you can do to control the actions of others. If you are hurt in an accident caused by a drunk, tired or distracted motorist, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A personal injury attorney might be able to negotiate a favorable settlement or file a lawsuit on your behalf.