Driving in Florida: 8 mistakes you should avoid
Are you confident that you drive safely whenever you get behind the wheel? Most people are confident, but some of them are wrong.
There are certain dangerous driving errors you could be committing without realizing it. Some mistakes at the wheel may lead to a collision, and although Florida is a no-fault insurance state, you could still be held liable for damages.
In case of a crash, remember you should speak with an attorney about car accident asset protection, and avoid admitting fault. Below are eight common mistakes you should avoid when you drive in Florida.
Speeding
Speeding increases your likelihood of being involved in a crash. It’s one of the highest causes of vehicle collisions in Florida. You should take care to respect and follow the posted speed limits.
Engaging in distracted driving
Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road for even a second increases the risk of an accident. The common forms of distracted driving include eating while driving, texting, operating a phone, applying makeup, or talking to passengers while you’re at the wheel. Make sure you eliminate all distractions and focus on the only, the most crucial, task: driving.
Driving while fatigued
You should never drive while fatigued because you could fall asleep behind the wheel, and cause a collision. Driving while fatigued is just as risky as driving while intoxicated.
If you feel very tired, the wise and safe move would be to pull over at a safe spot and take a nap. You can also postpone taking the drive until you are well-rested and refreshed.
Driving under the influence
You should never drive when you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combined influence of both. It is a crime to operate a vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the allowed limit of 0.08%. Ideally, you should observe a zero-tolerance policy, which means you refuse to drive with any traces of alcohol or drugs in your system.
Being under the influence of drugs is not limited to illegal controlled substances. It also means the potential for experiencing untoward effects of legal drugs like prescription medication and over-the-counter meds. Any substance that could impair your ability to drive with the same alertness and caution as a sober person should be avoided.
Driving on under-inflated tires
An underinflated tire may not seem like a big deal or something to be worried about. But you should never underestimate the potential damage of an underinflated tire. They are more prone to a blowout.
Imagine you are driving at a fairly high rate of speed on the highway when your tire suddenly blows out. This could be pretty dangerous, and pose an immense risk to you, any passengers, and other drivers on the road.
Failing to wear a seat belt
Safe driving means that you should be buckled up, no matter what. You should wear a seat belt even if you are only driving a short distance.
About 51% of traffic fatalities occur because people are not wearing a seatbelt. You should also teach your children and other passengers to wear their safety belts or harnesses every time they get into a car or truck.
Failure to wear a safety belt could also make you partially responsible for the injuries you sustain in case of an accident. The insurer may declare that if you had worn the safety belt, you would not have suffered extensive injuries, and refuse to compensate your medical care to the extent they might have, otherwise.
Following too closely
You should never tailgate. If you drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you, that raises the chance of a rear-end collision if the other driver slows down or brakes suddenly. You should leave a reasonable distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
Bottom Line
Remember, driving is inherently risky. Every time you get behind the wheel, your safety should come first.
Wear your safety belt and stay alert. By avoiding the driving mistakes outlined above, you are less likely to get involved in an accident, despite the numerous risks on Florida roads.