Safe Driving Habits for Your Commute to Work

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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers provide safety tips for your daily work commute. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are one of the leading causes of death for Americans between the ages of one and 54. Approximately 37,000 people are killed each year in car accidents. If you are one of the millions of commuters who drive to work every day, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid being involved in a serious car accident on your way to or from work. Even telecommuters who work from home can benefit from these safety tips.

Vehicle Safety

Today’s cars are safer than ever thanks to the latest advances in safety technology. You can check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website to see how well your vehicle is rated. If you are in the market for a new vehicle, be sure to look for one with the following safety features:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Blind Spot Detection
  • Automatic Braking
  • Lane Departure Warnings
  • Anti-lock Braking System
  • Back-Up Assist Cameras
  • 360-Degree Air Bags

Maintain Your Vehicle

It is important to keep up with the recommended maintenance appointments so that your vehicle is in good working order. Make sure that you change the oil every three months, or 3,000 miles. In addition, check tire pressure to ensure that the tires have the proper traction. Tire blowouts can be very dangerous, particularly if they occur on a busy highway. Pay close attention to warning signals, such as low tire pressure warnings, engine temperature irregularities, and other important safety features.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Keep your phone out of reach while driving so that you are not tempted to text, make a call, or check social media while driving. Also, avoid putting on make-up, eating, reaching for something in the backseat, or any other behavior that takes your attention away from the road.

Always Wear Your Seat Belt

In the event of an accident, a seat belt is very effective at reducing the severity of injuries. When unbelted, even a relatively minor crash can cause serious injuries. Infants and toddlers must be safely secured in the appropriate seat based on their age and weight.

Upgrade Your Vehicle

If your current vehicle has a poor safety rating, you may want to consider upgrading to a safer model that is equipped with the latest safety technology. According to the IIHS, the Chrysler 200 and the Nissan Sentra are associated with more deaths than other vehicles.

Telecommute When Possible

If you have the flexibility to work from home on occasion, you should take advantage of that opportunity. Fridays are a particularly good day to work from home since there is a spike in drunk driving at the beginning of the weekend. In fact, reports show that there was a 41 percent increase in drunk driving-related fatalities on Fridays.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured in Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident on your way to or from work, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will investigate the details of your accident and determine who is responsible for your injuries. Our dedicated team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.