Unprecedented Weekend Of Vehicle Deaths In Connecticut Highlight The Importance Of Safety Measures

When there is a weekend like last week in the state of Connecticut it is important to take some deep breaths and reconsider the safety steps we can take as a community to keep all vehicles and their drivers and passengers safe on our roads.  The series of accidents included incidents that occurred at all hours of the day and between vehicles of all types including a single vehicle accident where the driver went off the road, a head-on collision between a passenger car and an SUV, a motorcycle accident between a motorcycle and a car, among others.  None of these incidents appeared to be connected, but they all are a glaring reminder that our roads are dangerous and we need to be better stewards of our own safety and the safety of others whom we share the road with.  In total, 8 deaths were blamed on accidents that happened on Connecticut’s roads over the past weekend.

Whether you are on a motorcycle or behind the wheel of a car you are in a position to follow simple safety measures that can help prevent a New Haven motorcycle accident or a New Haven auto accident.  While there are no safety measures that will keep you completely free of getting injured or being involved in a fatal accident, taking a few small steps can make a big difference in your level of safety as you travel throughout the state.  Spend some time reminding yourself and others who you share the road with about these safety techniques and you will be making our roads safer by the day.

1.) Keep speeds reasonable.  Excessive speed is one of the worst things you can do when driving your vehicle.  If you are traveling above the speed limit you are putting yourself and others who you share the road with at a greater risk of serious injury.  While speed is not always the only culprit, if you do get into an accident you may find that it is significantly worse because of the speed at which you are traveling.  Always following the posted speed limit, especially in congested areas, is one thing you can do each time you’re driving to keep yourself safe.

2.) Avoid distractions.  We talk a lot about distracted driving and with good reason, looking down at your cellphone or eating your lunch while driving can take your eyes off the road for just a simple split second which can have a devastating impact on your safety.  It doesn’t take very long for you to be not paying attention to the road and then lose track of where you are on the road and what situation you’re finding yourself in.  Taking your eye off the road is one of the worst things you can do for your safety when driving so it is always best to avoid all the distractions that you can.

3.) Limit your driving late at night.  A number of the incidents that happened over the weekend happened after the hour of 10pm which is a cause of concern.  After hours there are more people on the road who are tired and groggy, some who may have been drinking or doing drugs and others who may be driving at an excessive speed to get to their destination faster.  Sharing the road with drivers who are engaging in these dangerous behaviors can put you and your passenger at risk of getting injured or even worse being fatally struck by a driver who is not paying attention or is otherwise disengaged from their role in the safety of all around them.

It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you are driving you have a certain responsibility to those on the road to do everything you can to avoid a New Haven auto accident and keep those around you safe.  If we all take this responsibility seriously we can keep the roads safe for anyone who wants to drive on them.  Following safety instructions can prevent weekends like we had last weekend where far too many people were fatally struck on the state’s roads.

Whether you adhere to all these safety measures or not, accidents do still happen and injuries are a direct result of these accidents.  If you’re injured you may need to speak with someone in our office to hear about your specific situation.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will get the details of your situation and work with you on protecting your long-term interests.