3 ways to stay safer during this busy holiday season

Moving traffic safety violations?

No one likes coming in last. But according to the 2017 report from the National Safety Council, Missouri ranked last in the nation for preventable accidents and deaths.  Safety issues should be a top 2018 goal for Missouri residents.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-ranks-last-in-new-national-safety-council-report-on/article_547cd9d5-8216-586b-9cd2-bc619567262a.html

A deadly late October 2017 rollover car crash in Saint Charles County illustrates this point. Neither the driver nor his passenger were wearing their seat belts. Both were ejected from the car and died as a result. Tragically, both young men were in their early twenties with their whole lives ahead of them.

We’d like to hold our children’s hands forever and keep them safe into adulthood.

But that’s not our job!

Often, the most powerful way we can influence them is by example. Fiercely-independent minded Missourians, here are some ways you can help improve the road safety statistics during this busy holiday season.

1.  We’ve said it before. Buckle up!
More than 50%  of traffic fatalities occur because of failure to wear a seat belt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html

There’s no reason we cannot set the example in this area, whether you are a parent or not. Insist that your passengers wear seat belts.

Recently I pulled over when I realized a young passenger of mine was still struggling to put on his seat belt.  We stopped until the problem was resolved. End of story. No one rides in my vehicle without buckling up.

2. Put down the phone, especially in work zones.

These zones can sneak up on you quickly. It’s so easy to blink and miss a sign for upcoming road construction, especially if you’re chatting on the phone.

In many states it is illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving.

Just last week, we witnessed a driver illegally cut over a lane in front of a police officer because he was distractedly talking on his cell.  Bad move!  We saw him get busted. Kinda cheered. Just saying.

Cell phones and driving — it’s a trend that’s here to stay. Hands-free chatting is cheap, easy, and much safer. Just do it already!

3. Use your manners when you drive.

Let’s take a quick quiz! How mannerly are you on the road?

Do you always, sometimes, or never do the following?

a. Use your blinker when turning.

b. Yield when merging into traffic.

c. Keep at least a car-length between you and the car in front of you while driving.

d. Allow for a car-length distance when changing lanes in front of a slower vehicle.

If you answered ALWAYS to this short list, your momma would be proud of you!  You’re probably a model Missouri driver. Keep up the good work.

If you fall into the “sometimes” or “never” category, chances are you may have a few moving violation tickets under your belt. The state of Missouri is unhappy with you — they have a reputation to improve.

Are you at risk for losing your license?  Even failure to use your signal properly can mean two points on your license in Missouri.  Those small moving violations, like credit card debt, add up quickly!

The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC offers experienced, aggressive legal help for folks with moving traffic violations — even if you had a bad day and forgot your traffic manners.

Call 636-244-3737 for a free case evaluation today from an experienced Missouri traffic attorney.  

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

 

 

Drive to survive — tips to avoid frenzied or distracted driving

distracted driving, Missouri car accident attorney
#distracteddriving

Thanksgiving and holiday travels are just around the corner. Frenzied or distracted driving — a major factor in car crashes — could change your life forever!

For many women, the coming holidays make that “to-do list”  miles longer!  If you’re also a “taxi-mom”,  you’re likely to have a higher risk factor for distracted driving.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, distracted driving is a leading cause of deadly traffic accidents in the state of Missouri.

“Inattention is a leading cause of traffic crashes,” said Colonel Replogle. “If you’re focused on sending a text message, then you aren’t paying attention to your driving. Cell phone usage — particularly texting while driving can lead to tragic consequences. These consequences are easily preventable if drivers would simply put down their phones and focus on the road.” http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Root/Anti-textingstickerrelease.html

Nationally, more than a quarter of a million people were injured in distracted driving traffic accidents in 2015.  Also in 2015  —  there were 3,477 motor vehicle fatalities due to distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

Even 5 seconds of texting at 55 mph can forever change your life!

These scary statistics sadly don’t seem to matter when our daily lives start rolling along at high speed.  So many places to go and people to see!

Nothing will ruin your holiday season quicker than to be responsible for the death or even serious injury of a friend or loved one!

Intentional safe driving takes planning and education, too.

Include these tips on your “to-do list”:

  • Turn your cell sound off or on vibrate before starting to drive.  Unless you are in the middle of a family emergency, almost any phone call can wait until you are able to pull over.
  • Plan B:  if possible, use your children or other fellow passengers as a cell-phone answering service. I love it when I see texts from my mom friends that are obviously written by their kids.  Misspellings? No punctuation? That’s okay!  These make me smile because I know my friend is practicing safe driving techniques!
  • Long drive ahead? Plan for cell phone pit stops.  Consider it a reward for good cell behavior! That’s right. Just go ahead and schedule time to pull over and check your phone for a few seconds. If you have a worried loved one, they will be happy to know you will be checking your phone every so often!
  • Hands-free options?  Many modern cars are equipped with bluetooth or other hands-free cell phone technology.
  • Resist temptation to check all social media updates while driving, too.  Turn off notifications if the urge is too strong. Your friend’s latest Instagram post of tantalizing holiday baking is just not worth that possibly fatal second of distraction.  Sadly, our social media addiction sometimes kills.
  • Keep your eyes wide open for other distracted drivers!  Especially watch for merge areas such as exit and on-ramps.  Living in the urban sprawl, we regularly encounter the  driver that merges wildly and dangerously into traffic. We do the cell phone check! More often than not, the dangerous driver is on their cell at that moment.

Busy, amazing, multi-tasking ladies — you’ve got this!  You can drive to survive and enjoy this holiday season.

Know someone who needs legal help due to being injured in a distracted driver car accident?  The  experienced car crash attorneys at The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC offer a free initial consultation.

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

Don’t try to settle without expert legal help from an experienced car accident attorney!   Call 636-244-3737 today!

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.