Defensive Driving in Napa
With rainy weather already blanketing California and more holidays rapidly approaching, it’s an important time to keep roadway safety in mind. NHTSA reports that, typically, a higher percentage of fatal auto accidents happen during the month of December than any other month. Additionally, DUI collisions tend to spike sharply close to the holidays, with more than 40 percent of fatal accidents during these times involving an intoxicated driver. For these important reasons, those preparing to drive to and from friends’ and families’ homes over the coming weeks should brush up on defensive driving in Napa.
Collision Prevention Techniques
The most important part of any defensive driving strategy is to know how to recognize hazards and prepare yourself to avoid them well ahead of time. For this reason, most defensive driving courses will provide you with a great deal of information on the best way to prevent a crash. Some of the best collision prevention techniques include:
- Always staying two seconds behind vehicles ahead of you
- Being aware of how long it takes for your vehicle to reach a complete stop
- Using an ample amount of space to pass other vehicles
- Driving slower than usual on wet roads
- Scanning the roadway ahead in order to know what changes are coming
- Prioritizing safety over speed
- Avoiding blind spots, especially with large vehicles like big-rigs
- Avoiding any kind of distraction
- Knowing how your vehicle handles so that you can comfortably maneuver around dangerous obstacles
Watching Out For Drunk Drivers
Even if you do everything right and drive as safely as possible, there is always the danger of being struck by a reckless driver. During the holiday season, it’s important to keep an eye out for drivers who may be under the influence. If you notice a vehicle that is driving on the center lane or lane marker, going too slow or excessively fast, tailgating another vehicle, or swerving, make sure that you try to stay as far away as possible. If you can, pull over in a safe location and contact authorities to report a possible DUI.
Be Aware of High-Risk Areas
It’s impossible to know when and where a crash will happen. However, most areas have spots that see a higher number of accidents than others. While it can be hard to keep track of where accidents happen, you should always think about the conditions of the roads you use and be ready to drive accordingly. Things to look out for include low lighting, unbanked curves, pavement defects, confusing signage or signals, poor visibility, and high traffic. If you’d like to take a look at which intersections in Napa you should watch out for, you can read this helpful blog article.
Calling a Napa Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are involved in a crash, you may be worried about a number of serious issues. Crash survivors are frequently faced with a long, difficult recovery process as well as steep medical bills, loss of income, and a lot of stress. Thankfully, people who’ve been injured in a crash can file personal injury claims in order to obtain compensation from at-fault parties. However, these cases are complex, and handling them effectively can take years of experience. It’s always best to reach out to a Napa personal injury lawyer after a crash, even if you aren’t sure whether or not you can file a claim. Most lawyers will be happy to offer you free advice over the phone.
Other Blogs from Ed Smith, Napa Personal Injury Lawyer
- Man Dies in Napa Car Accident
- What Do Napa Personal Injury Lawyers Do?
- Hit-and-Run in Napa Injures One
Personal Injury Lawyers in Napa
I’m Ed Smith, a Napa personal injury lawyer. Vehicle accidents can cause major injuries. If you were hurt by a reckless driver, call me at (707) 564-1900 to get free, friendly legal advice. You can also use (800) 404-5400 to reach me.
I’ve offered my legal services to Napa residents for 37 years, and have achieved many successful case settlements and trial verdicts for my clients.
My client reviews are listed on:
I’m proud to have a membership in these organizations:
- Brain Injury Association
- Million Dollar Advocates (a forum for lawyers who’ve obtained over $1,000,000 for a client through a single verdict or settlement.)
- Top One Percent
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