Winter Driving Safety on Triad Today
On Saturday, January 28th, attorneys David Daggett and Griff Shuler of Daggett Shuler Law appeared on Triad Today to share information and tips about staying safe on the roads this winter. Watch the segment: You may have noticed that it feels like there are more accidents on the roads these days. This is true; a recent […]
On Saturday, January 28th, attorneys David Daggett and Griff Shuler of Daggett Shuler Law appeared on Triad Today to share information and tips about staying safe on the roads this winter. Watch the segment:
You may have noticed that it feels like there are more accidents on the roads these days. This is true; a recent Forbes Advisor article ranks North Carolina as the 10th most dangerous state to drive in. 2022 saw a 6% increase in fatalities resulting from car accidents over the previous year. A startling 32% of those fatalities were in accidents where speed played a factor.
Another factor that affects the number of accidents taking place is the increased amount of tractor-trailers on the road. During the height of COVID, there were considerably fewer trucks on the road. Now that businesses are back up and running and supply chain issues have been resolved, there are many more big trucks on the road. Some simple, but effective, ways to keep yourself safe on the road include:
- Watching the traffic patterns of the vehicles ahead of you
- Look out for big trucks and do your best to stay out of their way
- Above all else, pay attention!
Distracted driving also contributes to the high number of accidents on North Carolina roads. Did you know that if you look away from the road for 5 seconds while driving at 55mph, you’ve traveled the length of an entire football field? An accident can occur in a fraction of a second and change lives forever. In North Carolina, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to text or talk on a phone while driving. If you’re over 18, it is still illegal to text, but it is legal for you to talk. Even looking at your phone quickly when a text comes in is considered “texting” in NC.
An additional factor to complicate driving this time of the year is the weather. Even when there’s only frost on the ground, conditions may be cold enough to cause the roads to become slippery. When driving in poor conditions, be courteous to the other drivers. Be sure to leave additional distance between the vehicles around you and don’t tailgate. Icy conditions require a much longer braking distance.
David and Griff provided helpful tips you should follow if you are in a car accident:
- First, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Seek immediate medical treatment if anyone is hurt.
- Call 911 or the police so they can assess the situation, help anyone in need, and issue a police report.
- Consider contacting an attorney. The insurance companies will not look out for you, but a dedicated car accident lawyer will keep your best interests at heart.
Later in the episode, David also participated in the Roundtable discussion with Ogi Overman and Keith Grandberry. They talked about current news items and political issues.
We Support the Triad Community
As always, the team at Daggett Shuler Law is proud to help support efforts to make a positive impact in our local area and support our students. Our Safe Sober program and annual backpack program are just some of the ways we strive to serve our community. We believe in setting an example and supporting those working to improve the quality and health of our communities.
About Daggett Shuler
The personal injury and disability lawyers at Daggett Shuler Law represent clients throughout North Carolina. Fill out the contact form below or call 336-724-1234 for more information or a free, no-obligation consultation.
