Michigan personal injury lawyer shares 5 car accident safety tips
First, there is a great new development coming July 1, 2010: Our first text ban law designed to reduce distracted driving and therefore, serious car accidents and truck accidents. But just because there is a law taking effect that enables police officers ticket those drivers who text while driving, doesn’t mean texting will stop.
I can’t emphasize enough how dangerous texting and driving is, or how important this new text ban will be. As a car accident lawyer who has handled many heartbreaking, preventable crashes at the hands of distracted drivers, I see every week how dangerous texting and driving really is.
So today, I’d like to talk about National Safety Month – which ties in perfectly with the advent of Michigan’s anti-texting law. This week’s theme is the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Did you know that an estimated 28 percent of all traffic crashes across the United States – or 1.6 million each year – are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 11 percent of drivers are talking on cell phones at any point of the day. The problem is that it’s absolutely clear that driving and using a cell phone has been shown to decrease attention and perception/reaction time in drivers.
Unfortunately, many drivers are completely unaware of how dangerous driving and using a cell phone really is. We must reverse this alarming trend. Even if you aren’t using your phone while driving, it’s important to be aware of others who are and to drive defensively.
Here are five safety tips that can help protect you and your families while driving on Michigan roads:
1. Stop texting while driving! Research shows drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident.
2. Silence your phone before you begin your drive. A ringing or beeping cell phone will distract you.
3. If you’re driving for a long period of time, set up a voice mail message that explains you’re on the road and will return the call as soon as you’re safe and available.
4. Pull over and park if a call or text is absolutely necessary when you are driving a car.
5. Encourage your friends and family to leave their cell phones out of reach when they get behind the wheel.
– Steven M. Gursten is recognized as one of the nation’s top experts in serious car and truck accident personal injury cases and auto No-Fault litigation. He writes extensively about distracted driving and automobile accident law. Michigan Auto Law has received the largest reported jury verdict for an automobile accident case in Michigan in seven of the past 10 years, according to published reports.
Related information:
I’ve Been in a Car Accident: What Should I Know?
How Does No-Fault Insurance Apply to Other Passengers in my Car?
Finding the Right Car Accident Lawyer in Michigan
Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights to better serve you. Call (248) 353-7575 for a free consultation with an auto accident attorney – anytime. We can help.
