Keeping Safe On The Road This Summer
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Car accidents hit an all-time yearly high during the summer in Southwest Florida, and this is for a few reasons. First and foremost, with tourists in the region, the roads are more congested than ever. With more drivers taking to the road, more accidents can be expected to occur. It only takes one slip up behind the wheel to lead to a potential injury causing accident. Next, the summer months are typically the most active months. With events, festivals, holidays, and warm late nights, the summer is ripe for celebration. When drivers celebrate even a little too much, they become a big liability behind the wheel.
Last, the kids are home from school during the summer months, and this makes a big impact on Southwest Florida summer car accidents. Young people typically have a lot of confidence backed up with too little experience when it comes to getting behind the wheel, which can lead to car accidents in the blink of an eye.
Knowing that accidents rise during the summer, it’s crucial to learn how to keep safe while on the road this season. A few ways you can keep safer while on the road this summer are:
• Never get too comfortable – Whether you’ve been celebrating, or you’re simply dreading that drive home during a rainstorm, it’s important to never get too comfortable when behind the wheel. Even for those with decades of driving experience, too much comfort can lead to slip ups on the road. If you feel apprehensive about driving for any reason, it’s important to get a room, wait a while, or catch a ride-share service home instead.
• Keep your vehicle tuned up and ready to go – Skipping out on oil changes or ignoring that check engine light can cause a lot more than an inconvenience. Vehicle malfunctions can lead to accidents in seconds, and many of these can be avoided by practicing regular routine automotive care.
• Keep a spare pair of shoes – Southwest Florida is home to world famous and beautiful beaches, but your beach shoes shouldn’t be the same as your driving shoes. Driving in sandals and flip flops can be unsafe, and switching to a pair of tennis shoes or other appropriate shoes before driving is always recommended.
• Keep a roadside emergency kit in the vehicle – In a worst case scenario, it always pays to be prepared. Water, flares, jumper cables, light snacks, flashlights, a first aid kit, and a disposable camera all come in handy in the event of an accident or car breakdown.
• Don’t forget the sunscreen – The Southwest Florida sun is strong, even when you’re in your vehicle. Keep sunscreen in the vehicle just in case you get stuck in traffic on a sunny Florida road, and keep yourself protected from sunburn and skin damage.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, road trips are the vacation of choice for many in Florida and across the United States as a whole during the summer of 2020. With these road safety tips, you can ensure a road trip you and your family will never forget, and for all the right reasons.
If you do find yourself in an accident, the best way to protect yourself is to ensure the law is on your side. Even in the event of a minor accident, having a skilled and knowledgeable Southwest Florida attorney on your side can make a huge difference in your case. They can ensure you get the compensation you deserve from the insurance provider that is supposed to have your back.