Daylight Savings Time ends on November 4th.
Many of us will be commuting in the dark, which increases accident risks whether it’s the morning commute or the ride home from work. Pedestrians and bicyclists are also at increased risk — a serious safety threat in a city where more than half of all deadly traffic crashes claim such victims.
Two other common dangers during the autumn are drowsy driving and deer-car accidents.
“In thousands of crashes each year on our highways, drowsiness or fatigue is reported as a contributing factor,” said Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. “Motorists must be cognizant of the warning signs of fatigue and avoid driving while drowsy, particularly as we make the adjustment to Daylight Saving Time.”
Our Queens accident attorneys understand that there are about 100,000 crashes reported to officers each year that involve a drowsy driver. And these are only the accidents that are reported. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there are more than 1,500 people who are killed, more than 70,000 who are injured and close to $13 billion in monetary losses as a result of these kinds of accidents every year. Yahoo! is here to offer some safe driving tips to help keep travelers safe after the time change.
-Prep your car for driving in the dark. Clean your headlights and your taillights.
-Avoid drinking and driving — during any time of the day for that matter.
-Try not to smoke at night. Nicotine hampers vision in the dark.
-Slow it down. You need all of the time you can to react to roadway dangers during this time.
-If you feel tired behind the wheel — pull over and take a break. Don’t push through sleepiness while driving!
-Check weather and traffic before heading out.
-Make sure you leave with plenty of time to spare.
During this time of year, you’re also facing increased risks for deer-car accidents, especially during dawn and dusk.
October through December are the most dangerous months out of the year for these kinds of collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 200 people who die and more than 10,000 people who are injured because of vehicle accidents with deer. Make sure you drive cautiously during the morning and evening hours. When you see one deer, there are more than likely others out there. Be on the lookout! You also want to take the deer-crossing signs seriously! They’re typically posted in areas with a large deer population and the risks for these kinds of accidents are high, especially during this time of the year.
And do whatever you can to keep control of your vehicle. These crashes are most often fatal when a driver loses control of the vehicle and drives off the road or into oncoming traffic.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations to accident victims. Call 1-877-313-7673 to speak with someone about your case and to discuss your rights today!
More Blog Entries:
Queens Injury Lawyers Urge Caution for Hurricane Sandy, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, October 29, 2012
Sidewalk Obstruction in Manhattan Leads to Fatal Pedestrian Accident, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, October 23, 2012
