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Safety becoming a concern on Nebraska roadways

On Behalf of | Jul 28, 2016 | injuries |

Summer’s here and that means more people on the roads. Many families travel for vacation, and the nice weather encourages people to head out and get the most out of each day. Recent decreases in gasoline prices provide further incentives to travel.

However, the increasing fatality rates in Nebraska are cause for concern. In the first half of the year, the state has already reported over 100 deadly crashes, on track to reach the highest level since 2008. As a result, the highway patrol is asking everyone to buckle up- and be careful.

Safety tips to keep you and your family safe

Enjoying the freedom of the road is a privilege most people indulge in. But safety must be a primary concern, especially for new teen drivers. This means more than just telling your teenager “be careful” as they pull out of the driveway. Make sure they understand what that means, not only by telling them but by demonstrating it in your own habits.

Making sure seat belts are buckled and distractions are minimized, is essential to a safe road trip. Cell phones should not be answered by the driver unless the vehicle is parked or the person is using a hands-free device. Radios should be off or at a low enough volume to not interfere with the driver’s ability to hear their surroundings.

Beyond these basics, drivers need to remember that we share the roads with all sorts of other vehicles. Big trucks and motorcycles are two examples of vehicles that require extra attention from drivers of cars and trucks.

We need to respect their space requirements and differences in reaction times when we encounter them on the roads. A motorcycle has the right to use the same amount of space as a typical car or truck, and they need that room to maneuver and avoid obstacles safely. Big trucks obviously require a great deal of space, but drivers also need to remember that they require additional time to stop, turn or change lanes. For example, a big truck traveling at 60 mph, travels 88 feet per second and requires 300 feet to stop.

When accidents happen

Being a safe driver doesn’t mean an accident won’t happen. Many people who drive safely are involved in accidents every year. This is because no matter how prepared and careful we are, we can’t control the actions of the drivers around us. All we can do is react the best we can to whatever may happen around us.

If you or a loved one is involved in an accident, please contact an attorney about your case.

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