Road Trip Safety Tips for Your End of Summer Trip

August is a popular month for those last-minute road trips before school is back in session. As summer comes to a close, there's still plenty of time to squeeze in a road trip with your friends and family. If you're planning a road trip this August, it's important to practice safe driving habits. As your experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how unsafe driving habits can impact your entire life. Take a look below to learn some safety tips for your upcoming road trip.

Click It Or Ticket

Always buckle your seat belt when riding in a vehicle. As a driver, you should not put the vehicle in drive before everyone in the car is buckled up. If you happen to be involved in a vehicle accident during your road trip, your seat belt can help keep you in place and safe during the collision.

Avoid Blind Spots

There are a number of other vehicles and semi trucks on the roadways this summer. Try to avoid driving in another vehicle's blind spot. They may be unaware of your whereabouts if you are in a blind spot. This can help prevent an unexpected collision from being in a blind spot of another vehicle.

Drive When Well Rested

Drowsy driving creates a similar condition as driving under the influence. Don't get behind the wheel if you are not well rested. Being tired can delay your reaction time and create a dangerous environment on the roadway. If you are feeling drowsy, consider taking a quick nap or ask one of your passengers to drive, if they are of age and feeling up to it.

Put the Phone Down

Distracted driving is the cause of many accidents on the roadway. Texting and driving is one of the most popular distractors behind the wheel. For a safer road trip for your vehicle and others on the road, don't text and drive. If you get a message you can have someone else check the text OR leave it alone and check it yourself at a later time, when you're not driving.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

Weather can create dangerous traveling conditions. Whether it's a thunderstorm or downpour, these types of weather changes can lead to low visibility. If you don't have a clear view of the road, you have a higher chance of being involved in an accident. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, it's a good idea to pull off the road in a safe location and wait for the storm to pass.

Now that you know these road trip safety tips, you're ready to head out on your end of summer excursion. Whether you're heading to visit family, take your kids to a popular destination, or getting away for a weekend with friends, safety should be top of mind. Your road trip should be memorable but in a good way! If you happen to be involved in an accident while on a road trip, contact our Lake of the Ozarks personal injury attorney right away. Gibbons Law Firm can help represent your side of the case and help you navigate through the legal process. Your first consultation with our Lake of the Ozarks law firm is always FREE!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Road Trip Safety Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner. With the long holiday weekend, many families are planning a weekend getaway. During holiday weekends, there is typically more traffic on the roadways. With the increase in vehicles on the road, the chance for an accident increases significantly. As your Lake of the Ozarks lawyer, we know it's important to use extra caution when navigating the roadways this holiday. Take a look below to find some safety tips you can keep in mind as you head out on your road trip this weekend.

Increase Following Distance

When driving behind a vehicle, it's recommended to leave one car distance for every 10 miles per hour you are traveling. This would mean 6 car lengths if you are traveling 60MPH. This allows for adequate reaction time if the vehicle in front of your comes to an abrupt stop. It's especially important to allow the proper distance between cars when traveling on the interstate with a lot of other vehicles.

Think About Blind Spots

When passing vehicles, remember they have blind spots and may not be able to see your vehicle. Especially when going by semi-trucks, keep in mind the large blind spot in which your car may be driving. It's also important to think about your own vehicle blind spots when making a move on the roadway.

Drive When Well-Rested

An alert driver can have a much better reaction time to changes on the roadway. Always drive when you are well-rested. A drowsy driver is almost as dangerous as a drunk driver. Your reactions may be delayed and you could even fall asleep at the wheel if driving when tired.

Designate a Driver

Never drink and drive! Driving under the influence can delay your reactions and make it hard to navigate the roadway. It creates a potentially deadly situation for you and all others on the roadway. If you are in no condition to drive, designate a driver or call a taxi.

Minimize Distractions

It's important to keep your entire focus on the road when driving. Cell phones, eating, changing the radio, and adjusting the GPS are all common causes of vehicle accidents. Keep your full attention on driving when operating a vehicle.

Abide by Traffic Laws

Speeding is a common traffic law that is broken. It's important to travel at the designated speed for the safety of you and your passengers, as well as others on the road. Ensure everyone in your vehicle is bucked before taking off on your trip. Using your blinker is an easy way to let others around you know what your intentions are when navigating the road. Think about the things you learned when you first started driving and stick with those rules!

Check Driving Conditions

Before you hit the road, check the roadway conditions along your route. If there is a lot of traffic due to construction, consider adjusting your route or traveling through that region at a less-busy time. Weather is another important factor that can have an impact on your road trip. Keep an eye on weather conditions in your area.

Practice Defensive Driving

When driving, try to predict potential moves from the other drivers on the road. Expect the unexpected! This can help you have a plan in place if another vehicle makes a sporadic move. Always be on the defense when driving - especially in heavy traffic conditions.

Driving is a major responsibility. You are not only taking your life and others in your vehicle, you have an impact on the lives of others on the roadway, as well. It's important to think about this great responsibility as you head out on your road trip. Take time to make the right decisions and put your complete focus on the road ahead.

Are you taking a road trip this Memorial Day Weekend? If so, we hope these safety tips are helpful during your travels. If you do find yourself in the unfortunate event of an accident, it's important to know your rights. Whether you are at fault or a victim, Gibbons Law Firm can help represent your personal injury case at the Lake of the Ozarks. Give our Lake of the Ozarks law firm a call today and remember, your first consultation with us is always free! Have a safe holiday weekend!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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4 Essential Road Trip Safety Tips to Close Out Your Summer

With an increase in road trips and family vacations during the summer months, the roadways are usually busier than other times of the year. Along with the increase of traffic comes the additional chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Safety precautions should be taken by all drivers on the road. As your trusted law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks, we want to help provide you with tips for safer travels this summer. Below are a few pieces of advice when traveling the remainder of the summer months, courtesy of our personal injury lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks.

1) Increase Following Distance

It's recommended to stay back 1 car length for each 10 miles an hour increment you are traveling. If you are going 70 mph on the interstate, try to stay at least 7 car lengths back from the vehicle in front of you. Traveling at a safe distance between vehicles gives you adequate reaction time should another vehicle swerve or come to a sudden stop. Multiple car incidents can often be avoided by increasing the distance between vehicles.

2) Avoid Tractor Trailer Blind Spots

With an extended trailer behind, many diesel trucks have large blind spots as they cruise down the highway. If you do pass a semi truck, use caution and get by them in a timely manner. Also pay attention to their blinkers, as you make a pass. In addition to blind spots while driving, a wide turning radius is another danger of traveling next to semi trucks. In order to navigate a turn, more than one lane may be needed. Try to stay clear of tractor trailer vehicles, as they turn at an intersection.

3) Keep Speed In Check

While traveling to your destination, it may be quite tempting to travel faster than the recommended speed. Whether you are running behind or simply want to get to your vacation destination quickly, try to fight the urge to speed. Increased speed not only leads to a more dangerous roadway for yourself and others, you are more apt to get pulled over for a speeding ticket.

4) Put the Device Down

In 2015, about 391,000 people were injured in a vehicle accident due to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While taking eyes off the road for a few seconds can seem harmless, the driving conditions in front of you can change in a split second. Designate a texter or leave the phone out of reach, to resist the urge to respond to a text. Also program your GPS before you hit the road on your next trip. This can help you and your family avoid being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Gibbons Law Firm Can Help

Even when using the utmost caution, roadway accidents to happen. If your are involved in a collision on your next summer trip and are injured, our Lake of the Ozarks personal injury lawyer can help. Our lawyer can help walk you through the necessary steps in your personal injury case. To learn more about how Gibbons Law Firm can help with your situation, call us to schedule your free initial consultation.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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No attorney-client relationship is created by the publication of this blog.