Street Smarts

Street Smarts: Follow the Laws of the Lane

Street Smarts: Follow the Laws of the Lane

Before delving into the legalities of being behind the wheel, consider these statistics to better understand why such laws are in place:

  • Accidents are 23 times more likely when texting and driving
  • The average speeding ticket costs $150, and less than 5% of recipients contest the charge in court
  • Over 75% of car accidents are caused by driver error

In order to avoid these tragic traffic violations and fees, we suggest you do the following:

  1.  Don’t text and drive. We are told this so often that sometimes it’s white noise, especially when your inbox pings constantly on your way to work. But seriously, put the phone down. Should you cause an accident by texting while driving, law enforcement can hold you accountable by collecting proof from your cell phone records kept submitted by your cell phone provider.
  1. Speak up, passenger! No one likes a backseat driver, but friends and family will certainly be grateful if you speak up about distracted driving. Or if fellow passengers refuse to wear their seatbelts or engage in activities that may otherwise divert the driver’s attention from the road.
  1. Follow the speed limit. Yes, these numbers are mandated by law, not suggested by highway officials. The fast lane should only be used when passing is absolutely necessary. Reckless driving can result in thousands of dollars in fees, and in some instances, jail time. This violation not only impacts your driving score and insurance rate, but employment potential, too.
  1. Know before you go. Wherever we go, virtual maps are at our fingertips. Review directions to your destination before driving so you are not entirely dependent on or distracted by your GPS.

Winter Driving Safety

In addition to the day-to-day precautions you take while on the road, winter driving requires extra vigilance. To prepare your vehicle for icy roadways, make sure your ABS are in proper working condition, your car insurance is up to date, and your tires are fully inflated and equipped with proper tread.

Check out these winter driving statistics collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and The Federal Highway Administration:

  • Snowy regions are home to 70% of the U.S. population, as well as 70% of U.S. roadways
  • Snowy and icy pavement cause over 156,000 accidents per year
  • Your risk of an accident increases greatly during snowfall
  • December is the deadliest month of winter driving

In the market for new car insurance? Protect yourself with Elephant Legal Assistance, a Legal Resources service.

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