Are you planning on hitting the road this weekend for the 4th of July holiday? Many will be leaving New Haven and traveling through our city for other locales. A few minutes to review some prevention and planning measures may keep your family safe and avoid a New Haven auto accident. Seven million Americans will face a breakdown this summer. Make sure everyone in the car is wearing their safety belt. Car seats or booster seats should be properly installed and used. Vehicle Checklist Tires Wipers Fluids Belts and hoses Cooling system and air conditioning Lights Make sure your car is stocked with a spare tire, jack, water, flares, jumper cables, first aid kit, windshield washer fluid, and blankets. In the State of Connecticut it is against the law for the driver to operate a mobile device.  Additionally, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence can not only get you a fined, but criminal Read the full article…

A very common New Haven auto accident with a cyclist or pedestrian occurs when someone is struck by a car leaving a driveway.  These accidents are often a result of obstructions that make it difficult for the cyclist or pedestrian to see on-coming traffic. The median age for this type of accident is 10 years old. New Haven’s school children will be out riding their bicycles and these accidents will occur more frequently.  Taking a few of the following steps can help you to stave off an accident of this type. Talk to your son or daughter about making sure he/she does not race out into on-coming traffic.  Make them aware that no matter how safe your road seems to be, the possibility of a car racing down the street is always there, so looking both ways is a key way to prevent getting hurt. Cut back and bushes/trees that may obstruct the view Read the full article…

Encouraging news out of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles regarding teenage driver safety reports less fatal New Haven auto accidents among the state’s teens. Connecticut adopted the motor vehicle laws in 2004that restrict 16 and 17 year old drivers. Since then, there have been some dramatic improvements in teenage New Haven auto accident injuries: There are 82% less car accident driver deaths A 62% decrease in the deaths of 16 and 17 year old as compared to before the laws were put into place. Additional levels of training are included where parents are required to attend a two-hour training class with their teen. The same news cites a Travelers Insurance Survey that teenage drivers are influenced by their parents’ driving habits. It also cites distracted driving as an ongoing issue with younger inexperienced drivers. While these statistics are very encouraging and positive, the reality is accidents with teen drivers still Read the full article…

Maintaining proper tire pressure helps prevent a New Haven auto accident year round. In the heat of the summer tire pressure can rise, on average one pound per-square inch (PSI) for every increase in temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  That means that if your tires were properly inflated for the winter, you’re still going to want to check them before heading out for any long trips this summer. Why is tire pressure so important to your safety? If you leave the house on a cool summer morning and your tires are already over inflated, by the time you head out in the evening, after your car has been sitting in the hot summer sun, your tires will be over inflated to new heights. Over inflated tires leave you more susceptible to tire blowouts which in turn can lead to New Haven auto accidents. Blowouts are not the only danger when over inflating Read the full article…