Unsafe Driving Behaviors You Should Stop Doing

Posted on

Whether we like to admit it or not, driving a motor vehicle is a dangerous business. It’s the necessary evil we all put up with as we go about our lives. When there’s an accident (or a near accident) we all love to point fingers and say it was the other guy. Yet when polled, a disturbingly high number of Americans regularly engage in some very unsafe driving practices. People do everything from talking on their cell phones to browsing the internet, reading the paper, and doing their hair. And that’s just distracted drivers; there are plenty of other safety violations going on every day as well. Here are some of the unsafe driving practices you should stop doing.

 

Driving Under The Influence

 

Even if we think we all know it’s stupid, there are still many Missouri drivers getting behind the wheel after drinking. In the past decade, more than 200 people have been killed and dozens more injured every year in Missouri due to alcohol related crashes. Alcohol (and other drugs) not only impair your driving ability, they also significantly slow reaction times. Although you may be under the legal limit, a small buzz can still be harmful. If you’re planning on drinking, to everyone a favor and get yourself a cab to go home.

 

Using Improper Speeds

 

Time and time again, driving at a speed that’s faster (or slower) than the posted limit can be unsafe. Each additional 10 mph over 50 mph doubles the risk of a death in a traffic collision–it’s simply physics. The faster the object is moving, the harder the crash will be. To keep yourself from traveling at unsafe speeds always know the limit, make sure you reduce your speed in school and construction zones, stay in the right lane if you are not passing, and slow down if a another vehicle is tailgating you.

 

Not Wearing a Seatbelt

 

Regardless of how silly, inconvenient, or uncomfortable you think it is, wearing a seatbelt can save your life. The National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates over 75,000 lives were saved between 2004 and 2008 from seatbelt use. In Missouri, 63 percent of traffic deaths were drivers and passengers who weren’t wearing seatbelts. Before you get on the road, make sure you buckle up for safety.

 

Violating The Right Of Way

 

Failure to yield the right of way is a major contributor to accidents and the offences are many, including general failure to yield, passing at stop signs, merging onto freeways incorrectly, disregarding traffic signals, and speeding. Older adults (age 70 and older) are particularly known for not yielding as they merge onto ramps. There is no law federal giving any driver the right of way; traffic regulations by the state say who must yield the right of way.

 

Tailgating

 

Following too closely is one of the biggest reasons for rear-end accidents and, despite its dangers, many people tailgate tractor-trailers to save on fuel economy. Drafting trucks can give you better gas mileage, but trucks can’t see what’s directly behind them, so you could be in trouble if the driver slams on his brakes. In general, there’s a two second rule for following distance, but the amount of time needed to stop is actually dependent on the size and weight of your vehicle. That’s why a bicycle can stop with little notice while a giant SUV requires far more space. Both perception and reaction time are sacrificed when tailgating.

 

Ignoring Weather Conditions

 

Rain and snow make for icy roads and trouble for drivers. During this type of weather, the amount of time you need to stop is larger, the visibility is poorer, and driving requires more caution in general.  Despite knowing this, many drivers fail to take any extra precautions and the Federal Highway Administration says roughly 24 percent of all accidents are weather related.  Especially in places like Kansas City, where winters can be rough, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in good driving condition.

 

Distracted Driving

 

This is perhaps the biggest category that most people need to work on. We all do it. Answering a quick text, getting the eyeliner on, yelling at the kids in the backseat, and more. Distracted drivers are everywhere on the road – an estimated 660,000 according to the NHTSA. That means you need to be extra aware because the guy next to you is probably as busy scarfing down a doughnut on his way to work as you are looking at your Facebook.

 

Driving Drowsy

 

A couple of yawns might seem harmless, but if you’re dozing off while driving you’re just as dangerous as a drunk driver. Being sleepy has many of the same effects as alcohol on your driving skills, including slowed reaction time, trouble concentrating and processing information, increased moodiness, and impaired judgement. If you fall asleep even for a second or two, it could cause a devastating accident, especially since you won’t have the capacity to avoid getting into a crash.

 

Passing Improperly

 

We’re all in a hurry to get where we’re going and there’s perhaps nothing more frustrating than someone right in our way. Needing to pass someone, however, doesn’t mean you should be drive any way you please, weaving dangerously in and out of lanes. The correct way to pass someone is to maintain appropriate following distance, signal left, check blind spots, move into the passing lane (the left one), increase your speed to pass, and then return to the right lane after checking your blind spot.

 

Contact a Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer

 

Car accidents range from minor nuisances to devastating collisions. No matter what type of accident you’ve had, we want to ensure you get the help you need for your injuries and any damage your vehicle sustained. The car accident legal team in Kansas City, Missouri at Krause & Kinsman Law Firm have years of experience handling car accident cases in Kansas City, Missouri. We’ll answer any questions you have about making a claim and getting you the maximum settlement possible.

Our Reputation

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is made up of some of the nation’s foremost legal minds in the mass-tort field. That’s why our clients & co-counsel partners choose us.

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, and Co-Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee in MDL 2846:

In Re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2974:

In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2924:

In Re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation

Along with the aforementioned MDLs,

Plaintiff’s Counsel has prosecuted thousands of cases across other Multi-District Litigations and Mass-Torts, including:

MDL No. 3043:

Acetaminophen ASD/ADHD Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2753:

Atrium Medical Corp. C-Qur Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2782:

Ethicon Physiomesh Flexible Composite Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 627:

In Re: Physiomesh Litigation, MCL

MCL No. 633:

In Re: Prolene Hernia System Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2750:

Cook Medical, Inc., IVC Filters Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2641:

Bard IVC Filters Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2326:

In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2606:

Benicar (Olmesartan) Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2666:

In Re: Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2591:

Syngenta AG MIR162 Corn Litigation

MDL No. 2936:

In Re: Smity’s/CAM2303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 630:

In Re: Proceed Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2543:

In Re: General Motors LLC Ignition Switch Litigation

MDL No. 2004:

In Re: Mentor Corp. ObTape Transobturator Sling Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2187:

In Re: C. R. Bard, Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2325:

In Re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2327:

In Re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2387:

In Re: Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Systems Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 251:

In Re: Neomedic Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

Highly Awarded Trial Attorneys

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is one of the nation’s leading mass-tort & personal-injury law firms. The founding partners, Adam & Robert, have been selected to serve on steering committees for some of the largest pharmaceutical mass-tort cases.

Working With Us

Partnering with Krause & Kinsman is easy. When you partner with Krause & Kinsman, you can be sure that our mutual clients’ complex matters are handled with the utmost care and dedication. In addition to our top-notch representation, we will ensure our mutual clients receive frequent communication about the status of their cases.

Partner With Us

Why Us?

Recognized leaders in mass-torts with vast experience in complex litigation.

Your clients will appreciate the high-quality representation provided.

Your clients will consistently real-time updates on the status of their case via video, email, text, and phone.

Get real-time updates on the status of our mutual clients while their cases progress.

Collaborate on the case together and receive co-counsel fees.