After a year of limited driving for many, it’s easy to see that traffic has gotten back to normal.
Surprisingly, accidents during the pandemic were up. According to 2020 data collected by the
National Safety Council, “42,060 people are estimated to have died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. That marks an 8% increase over 2020 in a year where people drove significantly less frequently because of the pandemic.
Accidents can happen anywhere to anyone. The most common causes of accidents are
speeding, driver inattention, fatigue/drowsiness, and alcohol and drug impairment. In our state
alone in 2020, the North Carolina Department of Transportation shares:
- There were 416 speed-related deaths and 18,332 speed-related crashes.
- Speeding was a contributing factor in 25 percent of all fatal crashes.
- 91 percent of speed-related fatalities occurred on non-interstate roads; 9 percent occurred on interstate highways.
Accidents are unpredictable and unplanned. No matter if you are driving to your local grocery
store or taking a long-distance trip to see friends or family, there are steps you can take to keep
you, your passengers, and other drivers safe:
- As a driver you should always be well rested before driving anywhere. This is especially
important if you are driving a long distance. Being fatigued or exhausted before getting
behind the wheel increases your risk of crashing. If you have multiple licensed drivers in
the car, try taking shifts so each person has time to relax.
2. Obeying the speed limit is another way to stay safe while driving. Speed limits are
designed not only to keep you safe but to keep other drivers around you safe.
- As a driver you should always be aware of any imminent weather that may result in
worsening driving conditions. Heavy rain, high winds, fog, or ice can make driving
dangerous. You may wish to wait until conditions improve before hitting the road. If you
are already driving, look for a place to safely pull over.
- Other tips to stay safe on the road
- Wear your seatbelt at all times. This goes for passengers, too.
- Use signal indicators properly.
- Always pay attention and be alert when driving.
- Don’t text and drive.
- Leave a safe distance between your car and that in front of you.
- Be patient. Getting to your destination five minutes earlier is not worth the risk of an accident.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault,
contact our office today or call us at (336) 249-2101 to speak with one of our personal injury
attorneys.