Just as there are many types of car accidents, there are also many types of traumatic brain injuries which can be caused by a car accident:
1) Diffuse Axonal Injuries. These injuries occur when a patient is shaken violently. Since the brain is a soft mass, it moves much more quickly than the exterior skull, and this leads to tears and injuries to the brain structures. When brain nerve tissue is torn, chemicals from the brain are sometimes released, causing even more serious injury. In this type of injury, the chemical and communication processes of the brain cannot work correctly, leading to brain damage, coma or even fatalities.
2) Concussions. Concussions, considered complex neurobehavioral syndromes, can occur either as a direct blow to the head or as a result of very violent shaking of the head. Among traumatic brain injuries, this is the most common injury. Concussions can be difficult to diagnose because CAT scans cannot always discover a concussion and patients have different symptoms. Some patients, for example, lose consciousness for up to twenty minutes while others remain awake. In some cases, concussions can also include brain swelling, bleeding, or fractures of the skill. Some concussions can be effectively treated while others can cause permanent brain damage.
3) Contusions. This type of injury is caused by a direct blow to the head. This type of traumatic brain injury effectively causes a bleeding bruise on the brain. In cases where a large contusion forms, surgery may be needed to remove it.
4) Coup-Contrecoup Injury. These injuries are contusions – a bleeding bruise on the brain – but ones which occur at both sides of a brain. Coup-Contrecoup occur when a violent blow to the head causes a bruise where the head is impacted and a second bruise on the opposite side of the brain, where the brain bounces off the hard skull.
5) Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury. This type of injury occurs when a person who is recovering from one brain injury sustains a second injury. A second injury before the brain has had a chance to heal usually means more damage as well as swelling of the brain. A second injury can cause death quickly, so this is considered a medical emergency, even if the second brain injury seems less serious than the first. Symptoms of recurrent traumatic brain injury can include hallucinations, emotional problems, muscle spasm or contractions, and difficulty learning or thinking clearly.
6) Penetration Injury. If a blunt object penetrates the skull during a Florida road accident, this is known as a penetration injury. This type of injury pushes bone, the object itself, skin, and hair into the brain, causing severe damage.
1) Obeying gas station signs. Most gas stations have signs clearly indicating no smoking and no cell phone use at the pumps. It is vital to follow these directions, since most gas stations have seen plenty of gas spilled and gas is highly flammable. Just having a lit cigarette near the fumes and spilled gas can lead to tragedy.
2) Being careful when pulling into and out of gas stations. At certain times of day, there are bottlenecks and busy periods at most gas stations. Cars may jockey for space at the pumps and some motorists are more aggressive than others when trying to get gas. Slow down and stay alert. Some Florida car accidents take place each year at gas stations, and Florida pedestrian accidents are also likely at a station where motorists are zipping to and from their cars.
3) Keeping your face away when pouring gas. Whether pumping gas at a pump or pouring gas into a container, keep your face well away. Gas in the eye area stings and burns as well. If you get gas in your eye, rinse your eyes very well with water. Your eyes may sting for a few hours. If your eyes do not get better, see a physician.
4) Using extra caution when pouring gas into gas cans. It is easy to spill gas in this way and get gas in your eyes. Always fill gas cans on the ground (never in a car or truck bed) and wear protective goggles or eye wear if possible to prevent contact with your eyes. If you need to fill a container with gas, make sure that it is a container designed for storing gasoline and is in good condition. An incorrect container can cause gas spills, which can lead to burns.
5) Avoiding stepping in and out of your car while you pump has. The simple static this causes can cause a fire and burn injuries. Gasoline has a flash point of only -40 F, making it very flammable.
6) Washing your hands thoroughly after pouring or pumping gasoline. If you rub your eyes without washing your hands first, you could irritate the eye area. As well, you don’t want to grab a sandwich and end up eating gasoline with your snack.
1) Stay alert to construction work and road work signs. In most areas, signage is posted well ahead. Stay alert to these signs and pay attention to the new speed limits, hazards, and lane changes in the area. Being prepared can ensure that you can ease into the new driving situation carefully.
2) Stay alert for others in the construction area. Work areas have a way of pushing everyone together – pedestrians, motorists, city workers, trucks, and bicyclists. You need to be cautious about these other individuals sharing the road with you. Each year, serious Florida bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents occur at work sites. Make sure to stay alert and be prepared for the fact that some pedestrian and bicyclists may not be obeying the rules.
3) Always obey the posted speed limits in work zones and construction areas. Many Florida construction site accidents occur when motorists surpass safe speed limits. While it may be frustrating to have to slow down if you are in a hurry, there are workers working only a few feet away from you. When you speed, you increase the chances that you will hit and injure one of these workers.
4) Maintain a larger distance between you and the car in front of you. Construction vehicles may be pulling in and out of the work zone, and this can cause sudden stoppages in traffic. A larger distance gives you more space to stop safely, without rear-ending the car in front of you.
5) Use extra caution around the flag person. The flag person or flagger is standing in the road area and you need to obey their signage. However, do not just go because a flag person waves you on. Check traffic first to make sure it is safe to do so. Each year, accidents are caused by a small mistake or miscommunication between a flagger and motorist.
According to experts, there are many things that parents can do to help their children drive safely this summer:
1) Remind your child to use a seat belt each time they drive. Many Florida brain injuries sustained in car accidents take place because a passenger or driver failed to wear a seat belt. It takes only a few seconds to buckle up, but it can prevent your teen from flying through a windshield in the event of an accident.
2) Give your child license to call you at any time for a ride with no questions asked – and stick to it. Make sure that your teen never drives drunk. Underage Florida drunk driving accidents claim far too many lives each year. Many teens fear the repercussions if their parents find out that they have been drinking or doing drugs, which is why a “no questions, no punishment” rule is important.
3) Tell your teen driver about the dangers of speeding. Speeding reduces response times and increases the odds of fatalities in the event of a collision. Speeding also makes it more likely that minor traffic mistakes end up becoming serious accidents.
4) Enforce a no-distraction rule. Distracted driving causes many Florida car accidents involving young drivers. Young drivers, especially, need to focus on the road as they perfect their driving skills. You may want to institute a no-passenger ban until your teen has honed their driving skills. Also, make sure that your teen does not talk or text on a cell phone when driving. Consider calling them up when you know they will be driving. If they pick up, set an appropriate punishment.
1) Florida laws regarding legal age to consume, buy, or possess alcohol: In Florida, you must be at least 21 years of age to buy, drink, or possess alcohol. A first conviction for underage drinking or possession can lead to a $500 fine and 60 days incarceration while a second offence can result in a year of incarceration and a $1000 fine. It is also illegal to sell, give, or serve alcohol to minors. If someone serves a minor in a bar and that minor then causes a car accident, the establishment serving the alcohol can be held partly liable for the accident under Florida’s dram shop laws.
2) Florida laws regarding open containers of alcohol in cars: Unless open containers of alcohol are stored in a locked trunk or other secured area, they are not permitted in motor vehicles in Florida. Open containers include not only cups and alcohol but also any bottle, flask, or can that has been opened and contains any amount of alcohol.
3) Florida DUI laws: Florida motorists are not allowed to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or higher. Drivers who are 21 years of age or younger are not allowed to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .02 percent or higher. Drivers over the age of 21 who violate this law may face up to six months in jail, a $1000 fine, and suspension of their license for a year. Drivers under the age of 21 who drive under the influence have their license suspended for six months. A second offense results in a one year license suspension.
4) Florida licensing laws: Section 562.12 of the Florida Statutes requires all establishments selling alcohol beverages to be licensed. This includes convenience stores, bars, restaurants, and retail stores. Establishments can lose their licenses for selling alcohol to minors.
While there are not very many Florida car accidents caused by underage drivers, underage driving is a concern. Unlicensed minors do not have the training or knowledge to operate a car and are therefore far more likely to cause car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other traffic problems. In most cases, children under the age of 16 who are caught by police behind the wheel of a car are not driving correctly, which is how they are noticed in the first place. In many instances, these children have already caused some property damage or an accident before they are pulled over.
FL Statute 322.35 clearly states that no person can allow their ward or child under the age of 18 to drive their car if the minor is not authorized to do so. The driver's manual for Florida indicates that allowing an unlicensed person to drive your car can result in a fine or even jail time.
In many cases, Florida underage drivers face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine on the first offence because the incident is often classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. Second offenses are often given a $1000 fine and a year in jail while third offenses are usually classified as a third-degree felony, which can carry a $5000 fine and up to five years of jail time. If an underage driver causes an accident that results in a brain injury or other serious brain injury, usually the parents of the driver face legal action as the victims of the accident try to recover the costs of lost income and medical bills. The owner of the car or the child’s parents may also face jail time and fines, even if no lawsuit is filed.
In many accidents involving underage drivers, speed and carelessness are a contributing factor. In some cases, the untrained and unlicensed drivers simply do not know the rules of the road and therefore cannot adhere to them. In other cases, underage drivers cannot reach the floor pedals or correctly see in the mirrors because they are too young and too small to drive a car. In some cases, fatal Florida car accidents have been caused by drivers who were ten years old or younger.
If you have sustained an injury as a result of a Florida car accident caused by an underage driver, you will need a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. Such cases are challenging. Underage drivers obviously have no insurance and the insurance provider for the car’s owner is typically reluctant to pay any claims on the incident because no underage driver was supposed to be driving the vehicle. In many cases, parents of the driver will not admit to allowing their underage driver to take the car. It takes a good Florida attorney and a team of investigators, in many cases, to determine a pattern of negligence that allowed the driver to get behind the wheel of the car.
1) By signing a driver’s license application for your minor driver. In most cases, your signature means that you are liable for the negligent driving – and the accidents it causes – of your teen driver. This liability lasts until the teen’s eighteenth birthday. Some insurance policies cover this liability, but you need to speak to your insurance provider to determine whether your policy covers it. The only way to avoid this liability is to withdraw your support via the Florida department of motor vehicles. You can also wait until your child is 18 before allowing them a license. Otherwise, you are partly liable if your teen is one of the hundreds each year that causes a Florida drunk driving accident or a pedestrian accident.
2) By being the registered owner of the vehicle your teen drives. Many parents buy their teen’s first car or have at least partial ownership. Sometimes, this is done as a gift or to keep insurance costs down. Either way, if your teen driver is under eighteen and you are listed as the owner of their vehicle, you may be held partly liable if your teen’s negligence leads to a car accident in Florida. Even if you are not officially the owner of the car but helped to pay for the car, you could be held liable. If you should have known that your teen was unqualified to drive (because of a drinking problem or a tendency to speed) you might also be liable for considerable punitive damages.
3) By being aware of your teen’s problems. If you knew that your teen driver had an alcohol problem, drug problem, or other behavioral problem that could make them dangerous behind the wheel, you could be held partly liable for gross negligence if you did not take enough steps to prevent your child from endangering others by driving. This type of supervision liability is not usually covered by car insurance or homeowner’s insurance and the punitive damages that can result if you are found liable can be substantial.
4) By not having enough insurance. Florida drivers with teenage drivers in their house need an excellent car insurance policy and an umbrella coverage on top of that. Look for a policy with plenty of liability coverage. If your insurance does not cover a car accident your teen has caused, you could find your personal assets in threatened. A serious Florida car accident, however, can easily cause millions of dollars in damages, so you need to ensure that your insurance can cover these costs so that your assets stay safe.
If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident involving an underage drinker, there may be several people who are liable for the accident. The insurance company of the driver will generally cover part of your medical costs, lost income, and other expenses associated with your accident. However, in cases where an underage person has been granted access to alcohol and has then caused an accident because of drunk driving, other parties may be held liable as well.
Florida’s dram shop law, sometimes called the drunk driving law, allows victims who have been injured in a drunk driving accident to pursue legal action against the licensed companies who have knowingly served alcohol to a minor. Victims can pursue hotels, bars, restaurants – or anyone who serves alcohol to minors. If a bar or other licensed venue overlooks an obviously fake ID or fails to ID a young driver, that licensed venue may be held party liable if the patron then gets into an accident after leaving the establishment.
As well, parents of Florida teens who cause drunk driving accidents by serving alcohol to their teens may also be held partly liable. If parents serve alcohol to their teens, they may be held partly liable if their teens drive drunk. Even if parents keep alcohol in an open place and know their teens may be drinking, they may be held liable. As well, anyone hosting a party or event can be held partly liable if they serve alcohol to a minor who then causes a drunk driving accident after leaving the event.
The one exception to Florida’s drunk driving or dram shop law is liquor stores. Since liquor stores sell alcohol in closed containers, they do not face the same responsibilities and are not held by the same strict liability limitations as licensed establishments or party hosts. In most cases, although liquor stores are supposed to ask for ID and are supposed to refuse to sell alcohol to minors, they will not be held liable if a minor purchases alcohol and then causes a car accident after drinking that alcohol.
If you have sustained a serious injury in Florida that has been caused by a drunk teen driver, you need to hire a good Florida personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, in these cases, proving and establishing liability is challenging. Attorneys usually rely on video camera surveillance and bar transaction records to prove that a minor was served alcohol. Proving that a minor was served alcohol at a private party is even more challenging, which why attorneys often hire Florida private investigators to get to the bottom of these cases.
1) Speeding. Car accidents involving young Florida drivers often include speeding. In 2005, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that teen drivers tend to drive 1.3 mph than drivers of other age groups. Younger drivers sometimes feel invincible or lack the experience to keep track of their speed. As well, many drivers do not yet have the driving skills to deal with sudden obstacles at high speeds, making them more likely to be in a collision when they do exceed the speed limit.
2) Distracted driving. A 2007 survey by State Farm Insurance found that half of teen drivers admitted to talking on their cell phones while driving. A 2006 Virginia Tech survey found that distracted driving contributed to nearly 80% of traffic accidents. Other studies have concluded that texting while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.
3) Timid driving. While some young Florida drivers speed, others feel uncertain behind the wheel and drive too slowly or uncertainty. This, too, can lead to a car accident or bicycle accident. Going too slowly on exit ramps or highways or hesitating when changing lanes can slow down traffic and cause dangerous bottlenecks.
4) Risk-taking. Teen drivers will sometimes take risks – such as failing to slow down in bad weather or failing to check blind spots. Such risk-taking leads to Florida pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and other types of accidents. Studies conducted by Cornell and Stanford researchers have found that teen minds seem more predisposed to risk-taking and impulsive action.
5) Brining too many passengers. Your drivers will sometimes fill their cars to excess, something that the NIH has concluded can increase risk-taking and aggressive driving. The NIH has found that both male and female teen drivers are more likely to tailgate and speed when male passengers drive in the front seat. A 2000 Johns Hopkins University study found that 16-year-old drivers faced double the risk of a fatal car accident when driving with passengers. When the same drivers had three or more passengers, their risk of being in a fatal car accident tripled.
6) Drunk driving. Numerous studies have suggested that teens drink. Drinking and driving not only leads to poor motor skills, distraction, and accidents, but it can also cause teens to make poor choices behind the wheel. For example, studies have shown that teens who drink and drive are less likely to wear seat belts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 74% of 15- to 20-year-olds killed in drunk driving accidents in 2003 were not wearing a seat belt at the time of their accident. When Florida teens do not wear their seat belts, any car accident is more likely to result in Florida brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries.
]]>1) Mandatory eye testing. In 2004, Florida created a mandatory vision screening program for elderly drivers. The program required drivers over the age of 80 to submit to mandatory eye testing and to pass basic vision testing in order to continue driving. According to a study published by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Florida law reduced fatal car accidents involving elderly drivers by 17%.
2) Improved road visibility. Since 1991, Florida has introduced a number of innovations to improve visibility on the roads. For example, state highway pavement stripes have been increased in size from 4 inches wide to 6 inches wide. Where middle-of-the-road reflective pavement markings were once 80 feet apart, they are now 40 feet apart. Florida has also increased more “advance” street signs (to give drivers more time to prepare for a turn) and has made street name signs larger.
3) More visible crosswalks. Since research has suggested that Florida pedestrian accidents are more common in cities with high percentages of elderly drivers, Florida has placed more “refuge islands” in the center of roadways and has included more high-visibility crosswalks to keep pedestrians safer and more visible.
4) Florida has created its own GrandDriver program. Based on the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators GrandDriver program, the Florida GrandDriver helps to educate and support elderly drivers who need to make adjustments to the way that they drive. The Florida GrandDriver program works with social workers, health care professionals, and senior organizations to raise awareness about the issues surrounding elderly driving decisions. The program also helps seniors find alternative means of transportation and helps them to make decisions about safe driving.
5) Improved public transit. Many cities across Florida have been offering public and alternative transportation to elderly drivers who can no longer drive safely and who need to give up their keys. Most cities offer easy-to-use public transit systems, senior discounts, and other incentives for the elderly.
1) Teen driving ability. Driving ability among young drivers varies widely. While no one wants to think of their teen as a bad driver, the fact is that even after passing state licensing training and testing, some teen drivers are timid or distracted on the roads, making them a danger. The good news is that if parents notice poor driving skills early, extra training can quickly and easily help resolve the problem. Even additional practice can help make teens stronger drivers.
2) Teen susceptibility to peer pressure. Even when teens know the rules, friends may pressure them to bend or break the rules. In a car, this can be dangerous. Peer pressure can encourage a teen driver to text while driving, to drink and drive, or to speed and race – all dangerous activities that can easily lead to an accident, even if they don’t become habits. Parents who suspect that their teen is susceptible to peer pressure should have a “no friends or passengers in the car” rule in place for teen drivers.
3) Bad teen driving habits. Bad driving habits get created early. A teen can even learn bad habits from friends, driving instructors, or parents. However, following too closely, texting while driving, and other bad habits can easily cause an accident. The more a young driver indulges in bad habits, the higher the car collision risk. If you notice your teen driver developing bad habits, it may be time for additional training. If caught early, bad habits are easy to break.
4) Teen speeding. Some young drivers speed because of peer pressure while others simply do not see anything wrong with going fast. Other teens get into trouble because they have not learned to keep an eye on the odometer. In any event, young drivers may not have the defensive driving skills to avoid a collision while speeding. Worse, it can be hard for parents to tell if their teens frequently exceed posted speed limits – in most cases, speeding leaves no clues until it causes an accident.
5) Teen drinking. Most parents do not want to believe that their teens drink – and teens go to great lengths to hide their underage drinking. However, statistics show that teens drink heavily. According to statistics gathered by We Don't Serve Teens: A National Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking, 24% of high school seniors and 16% of sophomores report binge drinking. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that about 5,000 children under the age of 21 die annually due to underage drinking. According to FirstEagle.com, 70% of all teenaged children drink alcohol and about 60% of teen car accident fatalities are related to alcohol consumption. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four high school students admit to drinking alcohol and nearly three million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 have an alcohol problem. The reality is that teens do drink – parents need to have a “call anytime, no questions asked” policy in place to ensure that teens do not get behind the wheel after drinking.
]]>One of the biggest problems with thunderstorms is that they can very quickly affect your visibility. When a thunderstorm comes, it can quickly create dark skies, so it is important to turn on your headlights at the first sign of darkness. However, blinding rain can be an even bigger problem. Many drivers do not pull over in heavy rain, but very heavy rain can make it impossible for you to see pedestrians, bicyclists, and even other cars – making the possibility of a pedestrian accident or car accident far more likely.
Another major risk factor with storms is lighting. Although your car is actually one of the safer places for you to be in the event of a thunderstorm, a strike of lighting may still strike your car. If it does, you will likely remain safe but you could temporarily lose control of your car, putting you at risk of an accident. You do not even have to be that close for lighting to strike; lighting can strike up to 10 miles from a rainfall area.
Flash flooding is another major risk during a thunderstorm. Heavy rains can cause dry creeks or rivers to suddenly overflow or can cause flooding on roads when sewers cannot handle the excess water. This can cause your brakes to malfunction or can cause your car to hydroplane. Flash floods can also cause mudslides and other serious hazards for the driver.
Distraction is another concern for drivers during a thunderstorm. Drivers may be anxious about the storm and may end up watching the skies more than the roads, which can lead to truck accidents, car accidents, and other types of collisions. The more severe the weather, the more likely drivers are to focus on the weather rather than on adjusting their driving for the weather conditions.
String winds can cause power lines, trees, and branches to suddenly fall into the road, creating multiple car collisions, damage to cars, and sudden obstacles. Drivers need to slow down and be prepared for the unexpected in a storm. If a storm has hurricane-strength winds, the car itself may be buffeted about or simply swept up in the storm.
Thunderstorms can also cause poor road conditions, which can be a danger to drivers. Excessive water can make the roads slippery. In some cases, thunderstorms come with hail or freezing rain, which can make the streets even more icy and treacherous.
The best solution during a thunderstorm is to monitor weather conditions carefully. If possible, avoid driving during or just before a thunderstorm, so that you are not trapped in your car during extreme weather. Before driving anywhere this summer, make sure that you have a roadside emergency kit in your car in case you are trapped in your car. If you must travel in bad weather or if you get caught in bad weather, listen to your car radio for weather updates. Try to pull over or stop over somewhere if the reports seem ominous. If the weather gets worse, pull over to the side of the road and seek shelter rather than attempting to drive through the storm.
]]>1) Watch for signs indicating wildlife crossings. In many areas, road signs indicate locations where wild animals are most likely to appear. Slowing down in these areas is important, since speeding ensures you won’t be able to stop in time if you do see an animal on the road.
2) Use extra caution when driving near wooded areas and fields – even when no signs are present. Just because there are no signs indicating a wildlife or animal crossing, that does not mean that there is no chance of animals on the road. Any field or wooded area likely has a number of animals living there, so unless there is a tall fence around the area, scan the wooded area, field, or side of the road to anticipate any animals.
3) Keep an eye out at the car behind them. Keep an eye on your rear-view mirrors and get a sense of how close the car behind you is. If an animal darts out in front of you, this is vital information to know, as it will tell you whether you have enough space to stop suddenly. Since cars generally do stop suddenly to avoid animals, it is a good idea to stay well clear of other cars on the road – leave yourself enough space to stop suddenly if the car in front of you brake without warning.
4) Remember to look for pets. In residential areas, pets and raccoons are abundant in summer. Many people allow their pets to roam in the warmer months, and these animals may simply dart out between parked cars. Worse, small children will sometimes run out after a beloved pet. Slow down in residential areas and scan the sides of the road, especially in areas where parked cars mean reduced visibility.
5) Avoid driving late at night and early in the morning. Nocturnal animals and in fact most animals tend to be most active at these times, when human activity is minimal and when the temperature is cooler. If you must drive early in the morning or late at night, slow down and use extra caution. Adjust your driving to make up for your own fatigue and for the darkness.
1) Don’t overbook yourself. Driving too much, too often can lead to driver fatigue, which is as risky as drunk driving, according to many experts. Share the responsibilities with a spouse or teenager or help your children find alternative ways to get to summer activities.
2) Rely on carpooling. Carpooling is a great way to prevent overbooking yourself and is much kinder on the environment. If your children have regular activities, you can probably make a carpool arrangement with other parents.
3) Get organized before you leave. Bring water, snacks, and entertainment in the car. Have a map (if you need one) ready. A few minutes of organization can help ensure a smooth car ride – whether you’re going to the cottage, summer camp, or on a summer trip.
4) Turn off distractions. Turn off your cell phone, mobile device, and any other distractions. If you are driving with children, have your children bring earphones so that they can listen to music or movies without distracting you. If you are traveling with a pet, keep the pet in a cage or small kennel to prevent the animal from getting into trouble – and distracting you from your driving.
5) Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Summer sun can be as much of a driving hazard as winter rain and snow. Sun can wreak havoc with your visibility and sunglasses as well as a hat can help you cut glare – especially if you also use your sun visor. As well, sunscreen can help prevent a painful burn, which could make driving uncomfortable. Bringing a bottle of water on trips is also a good idea, since dehydration can make you feel dizzy and sleepy, not alert and fit to drive.
6) Stop to look at sights. If you are taking a summer drive or want to take in a view, pull over first. During summer, there are more pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists on the road, making pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and bicycle accidents that much more likely. Driving while trying to look at a nice view increases the chances that you will be in an accident, so schedule frequent stops for breaks and for enjoyment.
1) Accounting for sun driving conditions. In the summer, you need to be aware of some weather conditions. For example, bright sunlight and glare can distract you and can blind you to obstacles on the road. Keep a spare set of sunglasses or clip-ons (if you wear glasses) in your glove compartment for bright days and make sure to use your visors as needed.
2) Keeping your cool. Warm weather can be its own distraction, and can even make you sleepy, which is a danger when you are driving. Getting dehydrated or overly warm can also cause heatstroke or sunstroke, two conditions which can leave you unable to drive and can even cause dizzy spells or fainting. When driving, use air conditioner or keep windows open. Use a cover, if you need it, to keep your steering wheel cool (so that you can grip it firmly and maintain good control of your vehicle). Finally, always have water on hand and keep yourself well hydrated by taking sips when you are pulled over.
3) Taking note of high-risk areas along your regular routes. Camp areas and parks with street parking can be dangerous areas, since children can dart out suddenly from these spots. Swimming pools and crossing areas for walking and biking trails are also spots where there are more pedestrians. Stay extra alert in these areas – young pedestrians may not look first before darting across a street. You can often prevent a bicycle accident or another collision just by knowing where to look twice.
4) Staying focused. Talking on your cell phone or texting while driving are very dangerous activities at any time of year. In the summer, however, when more children or pedestrians are around, distracted driving can even more easily become deadly.
5) Avoid drinking. By now, just about everyone knows that drunk driving accidents cause senseless deaths and injuries each year. However, people continue to drive drunk, and summer holidays are a time when many drunk driving accidents happen. There are more temptations in the summer – outdoor events with beer tents or barbeques where drinks are served. As well, hot weather and dehydration can mean that even one alcoholic drink makes you woozy and unfocused. It’s best to have a simple rule year-round when it comes to alcohol: don’t drive, even on just one drink.
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