As a car accident lawyer, I always tend to worry when holiday weekends come around, especially in the summer, when more deadly drinking and driving crashes occur. According to AAA Michigan, about 1.2 million Michigan drivers will travel 50 miles or more from home between Sept. 1 and Sept. 5, 2011.
I’d like to share the following 6 driving tips with my readers. These tips can truly prevent car accidents this Labor Day weekend, whether you’re taking a road trip up north, driving to another state, or taking a quick ride to a local party.
1. Never drive distracted - and no texting while driving
Drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to get into a car accident. So don’t use cell phones or text. If you really must use your cell phone, pull over first. Remember, our car accident lawyers are currently running a distracted driving awareness sweepstakes, where the winner will win a $1,032 check. You can enter to win on our Facebook page.
2. Know your way before you leave, and be aware of road construction detours
Planning your route this Labor Day weekend should involve more than looking at a map. Road construction is still under way, and there are detours throughout the country. Visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website, where you can find updated detour information. You can use a mapping site like Google Maps that allows you to adjust your route, and avoid getting lost.
3. Wear your helmet
If you’re a parent, make sure your kids to wear the proper helmet when riding a bike or scooter. If you’re a motorcyclist, always wear the right motorcycle helmet. And don’t let kids under 16 ride on an ATV or other types of off-road motorized cycles.
4. Remember the basics of safe driving
Maintain your vehicle, drive defensively, don’t drive if you’ve had too much to eat… Here’s a list of our safe driving basics.
5. Watch gas prices
There’s no way to avoid paying the high price of fuel. But you can prepare by searching out the best gas prices available. If you use a Smartphone, try apps that can point you toward the lowest prices. If you don’t have a Smartphone, check gas price on websites like Gasbuddy.com to get an idea of where the deals are.
6. As always, buckle up!
Labor Day is a dangerous time to travel, because there are more people driving, and the number of drunk drivers is higher, too. Don’t start your car until you’re buckled up and your children are secured into a car seat or booster seat.
Here are a few other very important safety tips that don’t fall under the umbrella of safe driving.
• Reduce the risk of drowning: Always supervise kids in the water and have them wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest or life jacket when on a lake or river — even if they know how to swim.
• Watch what you eat: Don’t eat food that has been left out for more than an hour at barbecues and family picnics. It can cause food poisoning.
• Wear your sunscreen: Prevent sunburn by lathering on the sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside.
- Steven M. Gursten, partner of Michigan Auto Law, is recognized as one of the nation’s top car accident lawyers. Steve has received the top verdicts and settlements for car accident or truck accidents cases in the past three years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He frequently blogs about safe driving and is available for comment.
- Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by sporst
Related Information to protect yourself:
Texting while driving - Frequently asked questions
6 tips to keep your teen drivers safe
Checklist - What to do after a car accident 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 (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with an one of our car accident lawyers.
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