Add These Safe Driving Habits to Your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the importance of safety. Moving into the year ahead, we all will need to continue to take care to keep ourselves and our communities safe. With car accidents seemingly higher than expected so far this year, one way Texans can give back to their communities is by taking the time to focus on roadway safety in 2021.

To do our part, the car accident attorneys at Lapeze and Johns have put together their years of experience to create a list of roadway safety habits that we all should add to our New Year’s Resolutions for 2021. Below, you’ll find a downloadable version of our tips that you can save and share with your friends and loved ones to help their New Year be a little safer.

One thing that makes car accident deaths so tragic is that they’re often preventable. For example, one safety precaution that can go a long way towards reducing the danger posed by car accidents is safety belts. In fact, it’s estimated that seat belts can reduce your chance of a fatal car accident injury by 45%. This simple step is a no-brainer when it comes to improving your roadway safety in the coming year. If you’re a habitual seatbelt wearer, you can use this resolution to remind those around you of how much of a difference such an easy precaution can have on car accident injuries.

According to data gathered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in 2019, inattention contributed to more than 15% of all crashes in the state. One way to cut down on these sorts of accidents is to cut down on the things that distract you while driving. First and foremost, you should never text and drive. Simply put, no text is worth your life or possible injury, or the endangerment of others on the road. Beyond phones, overly loud music, bothersome passengers, and doing other activities like eating or doing your makeup can all contribute to driving distraction.

In 2019, over 14,000 people were injured in drunk driving accidents, including 886 fatalities. Unfortunately, while different agencies report different totals, Texas sees more drunk driving fatalities than almost any other state. After 10 years of mostly stagnant rates of drunk driving car accidents, it’s clear that Texas’ DUI problem isn’t going anywhere fast. You can do your part to cut down on this issue by only driving when you’re sober, using a designated driver, and encouraging your friends and loved ones to never drive drunk.

During late-night journeys and multi-night road trips, driving through the night can feel like a sign of toughness or enthusiasm. Some nights, we just want to get home to our beds, even if we have to drive there first. However, these late-night drives can often lead to dangerous conditions. From increased distraction and reduced reaction time to the potential risk of actually falling asleep, driving when you need sleep is never a good idea. Instead, try to plan your drives during times when you would normally be awake. If you have to drive at night, pull over to rest if you feel yourself losing focus or getting tired.

Most of the resolutions we’ve gone over so far are things that most of us know we should be practicing daily. However, one thing that many of us don’t have on our roadway-safety basics lists is accident preparation. Preparation begins with good driving practices like leaving plenty of room and staying alert and attentive to the vehicles in front of you. However, it also includes things like familiarizing yourself with your insurance policy and learning about what to do in case you actually do become involved in a car accident.

Roadway safety is up to all of us. While good road design and city planning can help states reduce their car accident rates, each Texan also needs to do their part by following good driving practices on the road. By working together, we can help make Texas roads safe.

If you are involved in a car accident in Texas, the process of seeking compensation for your losses can feel overwhelming. Remember, you don’t have to face the insurance companies or the legal system alone. The Houston car accident attorneys of Lapze and Johns would be proud to represent you.

Book a FREE Case Review

Add These Safe Driving Habits to Your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions

Lapeze & Johns