Avoiding Car Accidents This Summer

With the warm weather we have had recently, many Ontarian’s are already planning their summer getaway. But before you load up the car, roll down the windows and turn up the radio – The Kahler Personal Injury Lawyers have some summer driving tips that may help with keeping your family road trip a safe one.

According to Statistics Canada, motor vehicle deaths usually peak in warmer months Statistics Canada research found that between the years of 2000 to 2004, an average of just under 8 Canadians died each day in auto accidents. However, the daily number of motor vehicle accident deaths fluctuated across the seasons. For the most part, the daily average rose during the warmer months and was lowest from January through April. Deaths peaked in August 2004, with an average of more than 10 fatalities each day. The Kahler Personal Injury Law Firm suggests the following tips to keep your summer driving safe and hassle free.

Summer Driving Tips

• Load the car carefully making sure your visibility is clear and unobstructed
• Securely attach sports equipment or supplies that will be carried outside the car
• Carefully tie down large items which could catch the wind and blow onto the road
• Watch for bicyclists, and motorcyclists who may be hard to see until the last moment
• Drive more slowly if you have a trailer or large load
• Watch for children in built up areas and between cars, skateboarders and scooters
• Take rest and refreshment breaks regularly during long drives
• Pre-plan your route, so you are not trying to read a map while driving
• Don’t’ take it personally when other drivers make mistakes
• Drive courteously, make eye contact and apologize if you have been in error
• Know what the road signs mean and follow them
• Pay attention to the speed limit signs
• Every one in the car should be wearing a seat belt
• Be sure child and infant seats are properly installed
• Keep the radio volume low enough to hear emergency vehicles and signals at train crossings

Ontario summers mean lots of road construction

Unfortunately, most road and hi-way maintenance takes place during periods of nice weather. A construction zone on a highway can be a very dangerous. Most car accidents that occur in a construction zone happen where the construction zone begins. Drivers attempting to merge are often distracted or driving to fast. Distracted driver behavior is one of the most common causes of construction zone car accidents.

Construction zones present additional dangers with unexpected obstacles such as traffic cones, concrete barriers and lane reductions. Be alert. Construction workers and construction equipment in or near the road can distract to some drivers. Drivers who fail to take extreme caution while in a construction zone can cause serious or fatal accidents to occur.