Taking your eyes off the road to reach for your phone and read a text while driving is all the time it takes to find yourself in a car crash. According to the National Safety Council, as many as 42,060 people are estimated to have died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. 

Texting and driving is one of the most common and dangerous distracted driving habits, though there are many other ways you could be putting yourself and others at risk. Here are some tips that you can use to reduce driving distractions and keep yourself and the ones you love safe. 

No Electronics

Please stow away all of your electronics. Yes, including your cell phone. Most cars are now equipped with hand-free phone pairing that allows drivers to answer emergency calls while they drive. Try placing your electronic devices in the middle console or glove box. You could also utilize the “do not disturb” feature in your phone, which stops incoming texts from notifying your phone. Our experienced car accident attorneys recommend only using phones for emergency purposes, such as calling for the police or ambulance. 

Adjust Before Driving

Before hitting the road, make all the adjustments needed to your mirrors, seat position, sound system, etc. Driving is not the time to be multitasking. Also, if you need to use a navigation system to chart your travels, enter the directions to your GPS device before you start driving.

Efficient Snacking

Eating while driving is not a habit you should make, as you can take your hands off the wheel or spill your food and get distracted. If you absolutely need to eat on the road to save time, bring items that are not messy and are easy to hold with one hand, like a granola bar.

Buckled Up!

Make sure that any passenger, including children, is wearing a seatbelt at all times. You should confine your pets in some way if they are also along for the ride. The last thing you want is to worry about reaching toward a passenger while you’re losing control of your vehicle. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, Hernandez Law is here to help you get the compensation you deserve and the most effortless recovery possible. Call our offices during regular business hours to get a free consultation today!

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Given the scary statistics that come with traversing mountain passes and traveling canyon roads such as Parley’s Canyon, please be safe, cautious, and unimpaired. Sadly, Parley Canyon and our other canyons, such as Spanish Fork, Brighton, Sardine, Immigration, and Provo, carry deadly accident statistics. I have often heard of Parley’s Canyon is referred to as the most lethal of all of Utah’s canyon roads.

The Dangers of Parley’s Canyon 

Parley’s Canyon begins at I-215, where it merges with I-80 and ends at Parley’s Summit (at an elevation of 7,120 feet, it is the highest point of I-80 in the state). The lower part of the road tends to have quite a few twists and turns and can narrow in places. It is also on an incline/decline and is known for turbulent wind, weather, rain, and snow. This passage of road regularly experiences a high rate of semi-trucks and recreational vehicles. Drivers tend to become impatient when traveling behind semi-trucks and pass over double yellow lines or when it is not safe to do so. Semi-trucks can overheat or lose their breaks when descending mountainous passages. Too, canyons and mountains have lots of wildlife. To combat this, in December of 2018, a wildlife overpass was put in place in Parley’s Canyon that is over 50 feet wide and 320 feet long, allowing wildlife to pass over I-80 safely.

To complicate matters, many visitors travel through Utah’s canyons to enjoy their beauty or enjoy some of the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” We certainly appreciate our tourist community. Unfortunately, as visitors, these individuals can be unaccustomed to navigating inclines/declines, twist, turns, and weather conditions of mountain passages or canyon roads.

Travel Safely on Utah’s Roads

If out on an Autumn drive, or any time you are behind the wheel, buckle-up, adhere to posted speed limits, don’t drive distracted or impaired, and be cautious. However, relax, cherish the time spent in nature and create some lasting memories.  

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The annual rate of crashes has increased by a total of 5% increase in 2019, which means 54,901 has happened. Around 25% of those mishaps are accounted for in November, December, and January.

Make Necessary Preparations

Not being prepared could bring about severe circumstances. Therefore, Utah citizens are motivated to begin their preparations for harmful roadway conditions by offering the necessary upkeep to their automobiles and equipping them with essentials like emergency treatment packages if they are ever before associated with a crash. Wintertime auto accidents can occur anywhere and anytime.

The greater quantity of winter season automobile mishaps has enforced a big problem on individuals that have been victims of injuries via no mistake of their own. It is essential to hire a skilled attorney in automobile mishaps to ensure that you can make sure that your insurance provider will certainly pay the settlement you deserve for the losses you have withstood.

You cannot also be ready.

Before hitting the trail this winter season, all the Utah residents must do whatever possible to decrease the danger of being part of a mishap. To stay clear of a winter months accident, we recommend that you:

• Check exterior lights to see it. Individuals can know when you intend to turn.
• Examine your tires and transform them if required to make sure you have as much grip as feasible.
• Inspect your oil, as well as filter
• Include new antifreeze to your cooling system.
• Check and Change the battery if needed
• Ensure all-electric systems are functioning as your heating unit and also wipers. (These are very crucial!).

Need an Automobile Crash Attorney?

Even though you are planned for winter roads this period, all the security precautions worldwide might not prevent all crashes. They minimize your danger to be a victim to one. Car crashes claim many lives year by year, and insurance providers love to persuade for the quick negotiation so they can look the other way.

If you have been one of these victims treated unfairly by your insurance provider, call us today and schedule a free consultation so you can see to it that you are effectively stood for to acquire the compensation you should have.

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Prepare for the challenges of the cold.

It can be helpful to keep a Tupperware or similar storage bin in your vehicle. This can include items like blankets, a flashlight, ice scrappers, medications, a first-aid kit, and even food or water. Having these items in your trunk can help prepare you if you get stranded while your car is stuck in the snow. Winter brings dangerously cold conditions and low light. This means that walking to the nearest gas station if your car breaks down is a far more massive task in the winter versus the summer months. Having these items ready to go can make all the difference while help is on the way.

Don’t drive unless necessary.

One of the best ways to avoid the spike in accidents that occurs when a snowstorm is happening is by not being on the roads when they happen. If you live in areas where a massive storm is expected, you can take proper precautions to prevent needing to go to the store for supplies. If you must leave the house, try to plan your trips so that you are avoiding the worst time of the storm or when the smallest number of cars will be on the road. You can also plan your trips to limit the number of stops you will need to make. Perhaps you can go to one or two stores for all your items instead of four or five.

Look at your vehicle to ensure that it is ready for the snow.

When the roads and highways are slippery from ice, your tires are the most critical items in your car. Make sure that your tires are free from bald spots and have plenty of treads left so that you can trust them on a stop or during a turn. If your vehicle does not have a four-wheel drive, you may even choose to use chains or snow tires to help with your traction and control. It is also a great idea to look at your windshield wipers to make sure they will properly clean your window of fog, water, and salt.

Remember, these are just a few simple ideas to help keep you and your family safe during winter travel. Check your local weather stations to see what challenges will face drivers so that you can plan accordingly.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This website contains general information relating to areas of law familiar to our firm. The information should not be construed as legal advice or other professional advice. You should not rely on the contents of this website as such. Participation on this website does not create any kind of attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice or representation, please contact my office, and I would be pleased to discuss your case with you and see if my firm can help.

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