Summer in the Pacific Northwest offers endless opportunities to explore the outdoors. Whether you’re hitting the road to find a scenic hiking trail or traveling to a vacation spot, you’ll want to make sure that you’re practicing safe driving habits behind the wheel. Of course, distracted driving happens all year round (and contributes to approximately 400,000 auto accident crash injuries each year), but the summer months are particularly prone to an uptick in distracted driving habits. Here are three tips for reducing these distractions and keeping yourself and others safe on Washington and Oregon roads this summer.
1. Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
We all know that the safest driving position involves keeping both hands on the wheel at all times. This allows you to maintain control of your car and react quickly if a hazard appears. Unfortunately, manual distractions like eating food, fiddling with your phone or GPS, or digging for something in your backseat while the car is in motion can disrupt your focus and jeopardize your safety.
2. Pay Attention to Posted Speed Limits
As we venture to different areas during the summer, we may not know what the appropriate speed limits are. Pay attention to all posted speed limit signs and adjust your driving accordingly. Wide, empty roads may invite you to travel faster, but speeding increases your risk of crashing and suffering serious injuries. Additionally, be mindful of construction zones, as many construction and roadway paving projects take place over the summer. Slow down and look out for road workers to keep everyone safe.
3. Maintain Good Car Health
Before you take your car on the road, be sure that it will run smoothly. Take it in to be serviced for the summer, especially if you haven’t driven it much in recent months. It’s important to have the tire pressure and fluid levels checked to ensure a safe journey. If your car has been affected by a recall campaign, be sure to visit the dealer for inspection or to receive the necessary repair. The more steps you can take to ensure your vehicle is in good health, the less likely it is that you’ll become distracted by rattling noises, low fluid levels, or other concerns that could jeopardize your safety.
Call the friendly and trusted Vancouver attorneys at Henderson Taylor Law Firm today at (360) 737-1478 to discuss your auto accident or personal injury case.
