Motor Vehicle Accidents – You Shouldn’t be at Fault!

You just have to be amazed at the fact that there aren’t more accidents on the road on any given day. This state has inter- and intrastate highways, parkways and boulevards that are used by thousands of drivers in a myriad of vehicles every day.

Drivers in big pickup trucks speed along, sometimes going too fast for the road conditions. Drivers are often going too slow for the lane they’re in. 18-wheelers quickly changing lanes so they don’t have to slow down for the traffic in front of them. Motorcyclists whipping in and out of traffic. It’s just amazing there aren’t more accidents.

No matter how many accidents there are, there are always too many injuries. Alabama Department of Public Safety records show that historically, the number of accidents increases a little every year. In 2003, there were more than 140,000 motor vehicle accidents state-wide. That includes 43,839 people injured and more than 1,000 people killed.

Motor vehicles can weigh between 3,000 pounds for a passenger vehicle and 70,000 or more for a loaded semi-truck. Fatalities connected with motor vehicle accidents are sometimes referred to as vehicular homicide for a reason. Having an accident at 35 miles per hour can seriously injure or kill someone just as having an accident at 75 miles per hour can. It’s all relative. It all causes damage. It all can kill you or someone you love.

What should you be doing while you’re driving? Driving! Each person behind the wheel of any vehicle on the road has an obligation to be fully aware of the traffic and road conditions along their way.

What shouldn’t you be doing while you’re driving? You shouldn’t be dialing a cell phone or text messaging your friends. You shouldn’t be trying to find something on the back seat. You shouldn’t be putting on makeup. You shouldn’t be speeding or weaving in and out of traffic. When drivers become careless or distracted, the results can be fatal.

Consider this. If someone else drove the same way you do and caused you to have an accident, perhaps seriously injuring you or even killing one of your passengers, how would you feel? Get organized before you start your trip. Pay attention to what is happening in traffic around you and drive defensively, not offensively.