We’ve all been there. You’re running late, and you just can’t get out of the house any faster. You throw on your shoes and grab your keys, and then you’re off to work.
Unfortunately, when you get behind the wheel of a car, it’s not just about reaching from one place to another. Now it’s about making sure everyone gets where they need to go safely. And unfortunately, that means following traffic rules. However, some people act on their impulses instead of logic, thus becoming responsible for a growing number of traffic accidents occurring.
In the first half of 2021, roughly 20,175 deaths in the US were linked to motor vehicle traffic crashes, as estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s a lot of people who could have been with us today but died due to negligence of their own or others.
However, the truth is that following traffic rules can help keep not only yourself but other drivers safe and healthy on the road.
Minimizes the Risk of Road Traffic Accidents
Traffic rules are put in place to create a safe environment for you and your fellow drivers. Following them helps keep everybody on the road safe, which can be especially important if you’re in a city like North Carolina with a large population.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), 247,214 crashes occurred in North Carolina in 2020, resulting in the death of 1,658 people.
Among these figures, Fayetteville witnessed 5,529 crashes and was also ranked 5th among the cities with the most crashes in North Carolina. With 122 crashes occurring due to alcohol, it’s clear that Fayetteville’s residents are not as serious about following the traffic rules as they should be.
If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you must understand how horrific the experience it can be. Not only are you dealing with the physical injuries associated with being in a crash, but there’s also the emotional trauma that comes with being involved in a traumatic event.
However, when you follow traffic rules like wearing seat belts and driving below the speed limit, you minimize your risk of getting into a dangerous situation. According to NHTSA, wearing seat belts can decrease the risk of death by 45%, while reducing the occurrence of moderate-to-serious injuries by 50%.
Moreover, the most common causes of road traffic accidents include speeding, drunk driving, and following too closely. By following the speed limit and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles on the road, you can avoid these three major causes of road accidents.
Road traffic accidents in North Carolina, particularly in Fayetteville, are common. Many people have been involved in a road traffic accident, and many more have had friends and family who have been involved in one.
If you were involved in a road traffic accident in North Carolina or Fayetteville, it is important that you know your rights. A Fayetteville Car Accident Lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. This will help you get compensation for the injuries and other losses.
Keeps the Safety of Other Drivers Intact
Did you know that according to the data by NCDOT, 274 passengers and 249 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in North Carolina in 2020? That’s a lot of people. Hence, it’s indispensable for you to follow the rules of the road and ensure that everyone is safe.
Whether you’re driving in an urban area or a rural one, there are always other cars and people around you. When you follow the rules of the road, it means that you’re taking care to follow speed limits and stop at red lights. This will also eliminate the chances of an uneventful drive for your fellow drivers. That’s because when everyone follows the rules, it becomes a lot easier to keep safety on the road intact.
When everyone drives safely and responsibly, everyone benefits: drivers are less likely to get into accidents, which means that there are fewer injuries on our roads.
Keeping yourself and other drivers safe means understanding the responsibility to follow traffic rules. You can do this by staying on your side of the road, obeying stop signs and traffic signals, slowing down when approaching intersections with pedestrians or cyclists, and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles while driving.
Ensures Better Peace of Mind
When you’re driving, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the moment and forget what’s important. But keeping yourself on a safe speed limit and obeying traffic laws can help you feel more in control of your vehicle and your surroundings. And that means better peace of mind, which comes from knowing that no matter how stressful the situation may be, you’re doing everything possible to stay safe.
We all know how dangerous driving can be, and we’ve all heard about the dangers of speeding or running red lights. But did you know that even when we aren’t speeding or running red lights, our brains might still trick us into thinking we are?
According to a recent article published in the American Psychological Association (APA), psychologists believe that perceptual and cognitive biases can encourage people toward unsafe speeds, as found by Ola Svenson, a renowned psychologist.
This means that our brain might convince us to speed or break laws. However, keeping yourself on a safety limit and following traffic laws can help ensure that your perception is accurate and your peace of mind intact.
Helps You Save Money
Being involved in a car accident means experiencing an uncertain and uncomfortable pause in your life. These accidents can also take a huge toll on your financial health. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, the average cost of disability resulting from motor vehicle accidents was $101,000 in 2020. That’s a lot of money!
What can you do to protect yourself? Follow traffic rules! If you follow traffic laws, your chances of getting into an accident reduce significantly. Even if you do get into one, following those same laws will make sure that if someone else is at fault, they’ll be held accountable for their actions.
Being a safe driver isn’t just about protecting your life or the lives of others around you. It’s also about protecting your wallet.
Summing Up
The world of driving is uncertain, particularly when things can become worse due to the negligence of others. But if you make the right choices by following traffic rules, you can ensure your health and well-being. We hope this article has highlighted why following traffic rules is so important for your health and can nudge you towards following them under all circumstances.
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