Preventable Driving Behaviors That Can Lead to Auto Accidents in Brooksville

September 26, 2012

Car accidents occur quite frequently in Brooksville and throughout the streets of Hernando County. With a population of 172,778, car accidents on our roadways are to be expected. While there are plenty of auto accidents that happen for reasons beyond our control, the majority of auto collisions happen as a result of certain driving behaviors that are 100 percent preventable. As drivers, we are responsible for making sure we operate our vehicles in a safe manner and avoid dangerous driving patterns that could cause harm to others sharing the roadways. With that said, we will outline some of the most common driving behaviors that result in auto accidents and what you can do to make sure you avoid a collision in Brooksville, Spring Hill, Ridge Manor, Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach and Masaryktown.

Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,092 people were killed in car accidents involving a distracted motorist in 2010. Another 416,000 were injured in collisions caused by distracted drivers. Distracted driving involves any activity that takes a driver’s focus away from the road in front of them. This type of behavior can include texting, talking on a cell phone, adjusting radio and iPod controls, using GPS devices, eating or drinking, applying makeup, reading or even just talking to other passengers. While most drivers have engaged in one or all of these various activities at some point when behind the wheel, it is important to realize that these behaviors place you and everyone around you at risk for serious injuries or even death. As a driver, the safest thing you can do is to make sure your attention remains focused on the primary task of driving.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Thousands of car accidents occur every year due to drunk drivers. Drinking or using drugs, even pills prescribed by a doctor, can impair your senses and lead to slower reaction times and decreased muscle coordination. In Florida alone, there were 17,748 alcohol-related collisions in 2010, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Of those accidents, 746 were fatal and 7,825 resulted in severe injuries. There are many ways to prevent drunk driving from happening. Simply designating a sober driver for the night can save lives. If you are taking supplements, over the counter medications or prescription pills, make sure to read the usage labels as these can cause sleepiness, dizziness, slowed movement, blurred vision and even confusion. Remember, it is never safe to get behind the wheel of a car after consuming any amount of drugs or alcohol.

Driver Fatigue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that roughly 100,000 car accidents are caused every year as a result of drowsy driving. Drowsy drivers are unable to effectively identify, react and respond to situations on the road, making it very easy to cause or contribute to an accident. Sadly, many fatigued drivers fail to perceive and process information until it is too late and a serious accident has occurred. The best thing to do if you are feeling extremely tired is to avoid driving until you are able to get some much needed rest. If you are already on the road and start to have difficulty concentrating or feel your eyelids start to get heavy, simply pull over and take a quick nap.

Contact Whittel & Melton after You Have Been Injured in an Auto Accident

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident in Brooksville or throughout Hernando County, contact the Hernando County Auto Accident Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call 352-666-2121 for a free consultation. We can help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve to fully recover from your injuries.