In Dallas, Texas and anywhere in the U.S., driving behavior and physical conditions can lead to personal injury causing car accidents and even wrongful death.
Good driving habits can prevent Dallas car accident injuries and deaths. Examples of good driving habits are:
- Making your sure your left foot is on the foot rest, not the pedals;
- Wearing seat belt and setting your windows and seat position;
- Staying away from accident causing problems when driving;
- Keeping good seperation from other vehicles;
- Being able to stop in the distance you can see ahead;
- Driving appropriately based on weather and traffic conditons;
- Reading and understanding the street signs
- Knowing what is ahead of you on the road;
- Knowing what is in your blind spots
- Not changing gears until after you have slowed down
Examples of bad driving habits that can lead to accidents in Dallas and the State of Texas are:
- Driving at unsafe speeds;
- Aggressive Driving and discourtesy to other drivers;
- Risky Driving;
- Losing control of vehicle;
- Ignoring traffic laws;
- Poor vehicle maintenance;
- Not using mirrors;
- Eating and talking on the phone;
- Allowing emotions to interfere with driving when you are upset;
Your physical conditon can affect your ability to drive and bad physical conditions may lead to car accidents that cause personal injuries. Examples include: fatigue, stress, aging, poor vision, diabetes, heart problems and epilepsy. If you have a condition that may affect your driving, discuss it with your doctor. Get your vision and hearing checked and notify the Texas Department of Public Safety. People over 65 should adjust their driving habits by slowing down and increasing the space around your car. Try to take routes with less traffic and noise and make sure you understand how any medications you take can affect your driving.
Driving fatigued slows reaction time, decreases awareness and impairs judgment. Many wrongful death single car accidents at night occur because of fatigue. Signs and symptoms of driving while fatigued include: inability to keep eyes open and focus; inability to keep head up; daydreaming; frequent yawning; tailgating; drifting from lane to lane; drifting off the road; missing signs and exits. If you notice these symptoms, exit the road and take a nap.
To prevent fatigue related car accidents, you should: change radio stations; turn up the volume; open the windows, turn air conditioning on high; avoid fixating on object in the road and allow ample space between you and other cars. You should also drive during the time you are normally awake. When on long road trips, you should drive no more than 8 hours per day, stop and stretch every 100 miles or 2 hours, check your rearview mirror and look at different objects on the road.
Stress causes many car accidents. Stress leads to aggressive driving, poor concentration, and bad decision making. Driving in a rush increases your stress. Is it worth it to strive stressed out and get to your destination 5 minutes earlier? No. In saving five minutes, you might have caused an accident, broken the law or decreased your field of vision.
Also, you need to remember that medication can affect your ability to drive. Ths includes over the counter and prescription medications. Make sure your read the medication directions carefully. If you are taking medications that can affect your driving and a police officer stops you, you can be charged with a DUI and face fines, jail sentences and suspension of driver’s liscense. Illegal drugs and alcohol are not the only substances that can lead to DUI charges.
