Road safety involves the laws and precautions established to protect drivers from accidents and other dangers. It is a broad term that refers to policies, strategies and behaviors intended to keep everyone on the road safe.

This doesn’t just apply to motor vehicles: road safety laws aim to encompass all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. If one of the objectives of road safety is to prevent accidents, it involves cultivating a sense of responsibility among all those who use the roads in the country. Dallas. Even though many measures are in place to ensure everyone’s safety, accidents still occur and laws must anticipate new ways to evolve road safety rules for better protection.

What are the road safety rules established for accident prevention?

Texas state laws reflect traffic safety requirements. These rules are in place to prevent accidents causing injury or death. This is what is expected of all drivers.

Follow the highway code

Every driver on the road, as well as pedestrians and cyclists, must obey the traffic rules in force. This includes obeying speed limits, obeying road signs and traffic lights, and adapting driving to current weather conditions. Additionally, all drivers and passengers must wear their seat belts when the vehicle is moving on the road.

Stay focused

There are consequences for drivers who don’t stay focused on the road. You should always concentrate on the task of driving and avoid distractions. Drivers who crash while texting, eating, or performing another task that impacts their visual, manual, or cognitive abilities may be held liable for the injuries and damages they cause in a crash.

Maintain your vehicle

All drivers must also do their part to keep their vehicles safe. When routine maintenance responsibilities are avoided, a car with worn brakes or tires can end up on the road. If the brakes fail or a tire blows, the driver who neglected to take care of their vehicle could be held responsible for an accident.

Stay sober while driving

Drinking and driving, or taking drugs and driving, is an illegal act. These substances can delay reaction times or lead to poor decisions. You should never drive while intoxicated. The criminal repercussions you face will affect your future and could impact your career. Additionally, if you were to get into an accident while under the influence, you would likely face a lawsuit from the injured driver.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas

When others fail to respect the legal frameworks in place to keep roads safe and prevent accidents, you could find yourself in an accident. The most common causes of these events are usually distraction, intoxication, speed and reckless driving behaviors, all of which are human errors.

Distracted driving

As mentioned, distracted driving can fall into one of three categories: visual, manual, or cognitive, although some actions can encompass all three types. For example, texting while driving is visual, manual, and cognitive. Although texting and driving is one of the biggest distractions, many Dallas drivers get into accidents doing other things they shouldn’t be doing while driving. Applying makeup, shaving, eating, changing the music on the stereo, trying to grab something from the back seat or talking to passengers.

Drunk driving

Despite awareness and prevention campaigns from the Texas Department of Transportation, drunk driving continues to occur with alarming frequency. It’s even more upsetting now that there are rideshare options that make getting home after one too many nights much easier. When drivers get behind the wheel while intoxicated, the consequences are often life-changing and even deadly. If you have been in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, do not hesitate to speak with an attorney about your legal options.

Speeding

Some people do not have enough time to get to work, leave late and rush into traffic jams. They think that speed will help them arrive on time. Unfortunately, the faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to reach a safe stopping distance. If traffic suddenly stops, a driver who is speeding may not be able to avoid an accident.

Laws are in effect that impose speed limits on the roads. A driver who fails to follow these laws will most likely be held liable for injuries and damages they cause to others.

Reckless driving

Besides speeding, other reckless driving behaviors are commonplace and put everyone at risk in the quest for better road safety and accident prevention. Reckless drivers will weave into lanes of traffic, act aggressively by tailgating or checking the brakes, or engage in road rage behaviors that terrify others.

What to do if you are in an accident in Dallas caused by another driver

You can be a reasonable and careful driver who always follows the rules. Although being careful, attentive and driving defensively can help minimize your risks, there are no guarantees. If you are in a car accident, the first thing to remember is to call the police. They will come and file a report with the police and investigate the scene.

The report they create will likely indicate whether the other driver was breaking any laws and driving dangerously. This can help your car accident case, especially if you gather evidence at the scene. Another important thing that you need to do is to undergo medical treatment. Many injuries are often not visible immediately after a car accident and can become life-threatening.

Once you have received medical treatment, contact a car accident attorney. They can help you hold the negligent driver responsible for any financial losses they caused you by not following the laws in force for everyone’s road safety.

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