According to estimates just released by the National Safety Council (“Council”), for the first half of 2016 traffic-related deaths were up almost 9 percent when compared to the same period last year. From January to June, more than 19,000 people were killed in car crashes. The Council also predicted in its release that the number of people that will be killed in the upcoming Labor Day weekend will make it the deadliest Labor Day weekend since 2008. The Council estimates that 438 people will be killed on the roadways over the three-day holiday weekend. What makes this news particularly tragic is the fact that these deaths are preventable. In fact, traffic accidents are the number one cause of preventable deaths in the country. On the flip side, this means that there are things that each and every motorist can do to reduce accidents. So before you hop into your car this holiday weekend, do your part to make the roadways safer for everyone. You can do your part by remembering the following:
- Drive sober. Driving requires all of your mental faculties. You need to be able to think fast, react quickly and make sound decisions in the blink of an eye. A driver who is under the influence of alcohol, street or prescription drugs is impaired. If you are not able to drive sober, leave the driving to someone else. In 2014, nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
- Obey the speed limit. If you have a need for speed, find a go-kart track, because exceeding the speed limit in an automobile put you and those around you in danger. Speed limits are set for a reason, and that reason is not to be broken. Excessive speed is a factor in close to 30 percent of all traffic-related.
- Keep your vehicle well maintained. A vehicle that has failing brakes, worn tires or burnt out headlights is a vehicle that can cause an accident. Before you get behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is in good driving condition. Remember that what you are driving is as important as how you drive it.
- Leave your phone alone. More than eight people are killed each and every day by drivers who are distracted behind the wheel. Drivers who are talking, texting or using an app on their phone do not have their complete focus on the roadway. At 55 mph, in the amount of time it takes a driver to read one text message, he or she has traveled the entire length of a football field with his or her eyes not looking at the road. If you need to use your phone for any reason, pull over.
- Buckle up. Wear your safety belt and make sure that any children riding in your vehicle are fastened properly into height and weight appropriate safety seats. While these actions will not prevent an accident, they will keep you and your passengers safe in the event you are in an accident. As a driver, every time you hear the click of your buckle, let it serve as a reminder to keep your focus on the roadway at all times.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in an auto accident, you can trust the experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help. Our team of skilled Personal Injury Attorneys will work tirelessly to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to assist you, just as they have helped countless injury victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To discuss your potential injury case with a seasoned Injury Attorney contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation.