Many car crashes occur during the morning and evening rush hours. That’s when many roads are at their busiest, with people driving to and from work.
During their commute to work and back home, drivers are often running late and in a hurry. Their minds are at the office or on things going on at home. Many are dealing with phone calls, texts and emails, which are distracting even when they’re using hands-free technology in their car.
In the morning, drivers may not be fully awake. They may be juggling their morning cup of coffee or breakfast sandwich while they’re driving. As the seasons change and Daylight Saving Time begins and ends, they may suddenly be dealing with glare from the morning sun or driving in the dark.
All of these things can make our commutes dangerous. Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a casualty:
- Allow yourself plenty of time. If you have to be at the office or in a meeting at a specific time in the morning, leave a little early. This will help you refrain from speeding, tailgating, driving aggressively and making unsafe maneuvers.
- Avoid distractions. Many of us let our minds wander during our commutes. We drive the same route every day, so we often don’t give our full attention to what we’re doing. However, we can never predict what someone else will do and when we may have to respond in a split second. That’s why it’s essential to keep your hands on the wheel and your mind and eyes on the road rather than the radio, your phone and food or drink.
- Wear sturdy footwear. This particularly applies to women. The shoes that look best with your work wardrobe may not be the safest to drive in. Wear sneakers or other flats or low-heeled footwear for your drive and change shoes when you arrive at work. It may be tempting to kick off your shoes when you get in the car in the evening and drive barefoot, but it’s also very dangerous.
If you take these precautions, you’ll not only be less likely to cause an accident. You’ll be better able to respond to reckless or negligent drivers. If you are involved in a crash caused by another driver, don’t hesitate to seek the compensation you deserve to deal with medical bills and other expenses and damages.