Alabama has a reputation as a fairly dangerous place to drive. No matter where or when you drive, serious accidents happen with alarming frequency.
Several common sense practices can reduce your chances of suffering an injury in a collision.
Practices that increase your safety
According to information from Drive Safe Alabama, drivers play an important role in keeping themselves, passengers and other road users safe from motor vehicle accidents that cause harm or death. The act of wearing a seatbelt, now a law for drivers and all passengers, can prevent injury or reduce the severity of an injury.
Drivers must all obey all traffic signals. Failure to do so could result in a citation and also increases the chance of an accident. Driving the speed limit gives drivers more time to respond to road dangers such as inclement weather, animals and reckless drivers. In areas where trains cross the roadway, you should always obey all signs installed for train safety.
Actions that decrease safety
Certain actions, most of them against the law, put you at greater risk for an accident. Texting and driving, for instance, takes your eyes off the road for crucial seconds and reduces your ability to respond to unpredictable situations.
Even talking and driving has an impact on your road awareness. Many studies suggest this leads to an increase in accidents. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes many accidents and could result in fines and even jail time.
If you suffer an injury from a car accident, you should pursue your legal options. You might receive compensation due to the failure of a driver to follow Alabama laws.