You’ve probably heard that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of New Haven auto accidents, but did you know that where you drive in Connecticut makes a difference to your safety? The Traveler’s Institute recently coordinated a study via the University of Connecticut to find out where people in Connecticut are most often distracted while driving.  It turns out that driving through our major urban areas puts drivers at the most risk. Perhaps this is because there are simply more vehicles to watch at one time, or maybe there’s more happening along the roadside, but whatever the reason, New Haven topped the list of crashes due to distracted driving. This was quickly followed by Hartford and Bridgeport.  Also interesting to know is that some roads are more dangerous than others: Respondents claimed that the entire shoreline of I-95, both North and South; Hartford and Waterbury along I-84; and the Meriden Read the full article…

Springtime often means wet weather. Great for plants, but not as good if you’re trying to prevent New Haven auto accidents.  There are a couple of reasons why. First, roads get slicker in the rain. Oils and grime build up on the roads during dry days. As temperatures rise, these turn to liquids that then pool up when the rain starts, thereby making the roads more slippery. Second, as the rain continues, puddles become a problem. Driving through a big puddle can cause your brakes to get wet, making them less effective, or can lead to hydroplaning which means that your tires lose contact with the road.  So how can drivers avoid Connecticut auto accidents when the raindrops start falling this spring? Heed the following: Use your judgement. Don’t be afraid to wait out the storm. Let the water subside from the roads before you head out. And, keep an Read the full article…

Remember being a little kid and trying to get big rigs to honk their horns at you as you drove past? That was fun! But as an adult, you probably know that these drivers need to be paying attention to the road instead.  Because truck drivers can be hampered by blind spots, it’s critical that you take the following steps to help prevent a New Haven truck accident: Leave space. Don’t follow too closely behind a truck because trucks can be slower to stop in an emergency. Similarly, don’t zip in front of one too closely because a truck’s brakes won’t halt the vehicle as quickly as auto brakes can.  Signal. Your blinkers are your way of communicating with other drivers. Always let truck drivers know when you plan to switch lanes. Avoid the truck driver’s blind spots. It’s best to pass trucks on the driver’s side so that they can Read the full article…