by Deirdre Reedy
Driving is an activity many South Carolinians perform on a daily basis, yet it can be dangerous. Speeding, drunk drivers and large trucks all pose some of the greatest hazards to vehicles sharing the roadways.
Many drivers do follow the rules of the road -- but when you get behind the wheel of your car, you can only exercise control over your own decision-making and driving skills. You may select specific directions to minimize traffic or avoid trucks and trailers, but often these cannot be completely eliminated from your route. So how can you take steps to protect yourself on the road?
The answer is simple; know your environment -- be aware of the conditions in which accidents are most likely to occur and plan accordingly.
1. Weather
You probably anticipate a need for additional caution during storms or other periods of bad weather, but did you know that in 2005, 85% of all traffic collisions in South Carolina took place in clear or cloudy conditions - and 81% occurred on dry roads? Just because the weather is fine, doesn't mean you can pay less attention to the roads and drivers around you.
The Museum is not meant either for the wanderer to see by accident or for the pilgrim to see with awe. It is meant for the mere slave of a routine of self-education to stuff himself with every sort of incongruous intellectual food in one indigestible meal.
—Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936)
2. Days & Times
More fatalities occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday than the rest of the week -- and more vehicle deaths take place between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Your work week may have ended, but you should remain alert to drive yourself safely home before you decide to unwind.
3. Holidays
Holidays often create similar conditions -- roadways crowded with vacationing motorists can mean reduced driver attention. Keep the holidays a safe and happy time; remain vigilant and cautious until you reach your destination.
4. Road Type
We often think of interstates as posing the greatest potential for accidents, but in fact in 2005, more secondary routes in South Carolina experienced traffic collisions -- and more accident fatalities than any other type of road. Don't assume you can relax driving standards when you aren't traveling on an interstate.
We are hedged about, we think, by accident and circumstance; now we creep as in a dream, and now again we run, as if there were a fate in it, and all things thwarted or assisted.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
5. Location, Location, Location
When you are driving on an interstate, some are more notorious than others for traffic accidents. This doesn't mean you must avoid these routes, but it's helpful to be aware when you are using an interstate with a history of more frequent collisions. I-20, I-26, I-85 and I-95 all experienced a greater number of accidents and accident-related deaths than any others within the South Carolina interstate system.
Driving in South Carolina doesn't have to be dangerous. Exercising common sense and understanding where and how collisions occur can help lower your risk for becoming involved in an accident.
If you are a victim of an automobile accident, however, use the same principles of caution in protecting your rights. Seek medical attention, remain at the scene of the accident to file a report if possible -- and obtain legal representation if you suffer an injury due to the actions of another driver. Article written by Deirdre Reedy on behalf of Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLCJoe Griffith Law Firm, LLCThe personal injury attorneys of Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC can assist you in obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages as a result of a vehicle accident. Whether your crash involved a passenger vehicle, large truck or trailer or a motorcycle, the legal team at Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC has the experience to represent your best interests in an accident claim. For more information or a free review of your case, visit the website at http://www.joegriffith.com