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This is the second in our series of Driver Alerts-Safe Driving blogs. If you missed seeing the first in this series,  you can click here Driver Alerts - Safe Driving #1. The shorter blog approach we are using allows us to cover many more topics than we could using long-form blogs.  

"Let us know what you think of this format and if there are any topics you would like us to cover, " says Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Driving safely at night

The Association For Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) reports that there is usually less traffic at night in many countries around the world, including the United States. More than half of the fatal accidents occur after dark. ASIRT attributes this to the differences the darkness can make in how drivers see their surroundings and the road ahead of them. Night driving creates a feeling of fatigue particularly when driving over long distances. As a result of this, drivers become more vulnerable to even less dangerous situations which they can often safely deal with during daylight hours. 

The National Safety Council recommends the following:

• Prepare your car for night driving. Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights, mirror faces and windows once a week. (All windows should be cleaned on the inside as well as the outside.)
• Have your headlights properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
• Do not drink and drive or consume any medications which warn about operating a motor vehicle while taking them.
• Avoid smoking when you drive. Smoke's nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.
• If there is any doubt, turn your headlights on. Lights will make it easier for other drivers to see you. Being seen is as important as seeing. (Daylight running lights are only 60% power. At night, you need the full strength of the headlights as well as the tail and marker lights.)
• Reduce your speed and increase your following distances.
• When following another vehicle, keep your headlights on low beam so you do not blind the driver ahead of you.
• Avoid glare from oncoming bright headlights by watching the right edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.
• Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise.
• If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Turn on flashers and the dome light. Stay off the roadway and get passengers away from the area.

 Aggressive driving a continuing problem

The Southwest Florida news media recently reported on some aggressive driving incidents. The news media attributes this being a serious continuing issue due to the large amount of traffic Southwest Florida drivers encounter particularly "in season."

The highly respected Lake Forrest College in the Chicago area has been researching the issue with particular concentration on what to do if confronted by an aggressive driver. Their research found that the best things to do are:

(1) First and foremost, make every safe attempt to get out of the way.

(2) Put your pride in the backseat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold your own in your travel lane.

(3) Make sure that your seatbelt is securely fastened as it will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver. It will protect you in a crash.

(4) Avoid eye contact.

(5) Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.

(6) Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, if possible, location, and direction of travel. If you have a cell phone, make sure that you can safely use it.

(7) If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash further down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene; wait for law enforcement to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.

Are heavy vehicles safer?

Yes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that, "If two vehicles with the same NHTSA full-width frontal rating crash into one another head on, but one vehicle weighs twice as much as the other, the occupants of the lighter vehicle are eight times more likely to be killed than the occupants of the heavier vehicle." When overall safety ratings are compiled, the primary test is between comparable vehicles of a similar weight class and model year. The NHTSA safety ratings do suggest that only vehicles with a weight of 3,500 pounds or more are awarded an "excellent" rate class rating. 

Speeding is not a solution

The Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles provides the following reminder that speeding is not a solution to getting there faster. The department asks drivers to:

(1) Think more about making time spent driving good, instead of making good time.

(2) Driving is not a competition.

(3) Be polite and courteous even if another driver is not.

(4) It is not your job to teach others how to drive.

(5) Allow plenty of time for the trip.

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.