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“With 2024 over and 2025 beginning, everyone has come up with their resolutions for the new year as to how they want to better themselves in the new year. At Spivey Law Firm, we are hoping everyone commits to being a better driver this year. To help you become a better driver, the below resolutions are great advice and can help you become a better driver” said Randall L. Spivey, Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 

Resolutions to Avoid Car Accidents

For Florida drivers, driving can be an intimidating task. We get behind the wheel not knowing what others on the road may do. People come from all over the country to visit Florida, and different states have different road laws. This can cause confusion on the road. This confusion can unfortunately lead to car accidents. In order to prevent collisions which can end in injury or fatalities, we want to provide you with some tips from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

1. Don’t text and drive. With phones being more advanced than ever, they have become more distracting than ever. These distractions are not only a danger to you, but to the other people on the road. Florida law prohibits texting while driving. Looking down at your phone, even for a second, can be fatal. If possible, have someone else in the vehicle send the message on your behalf or pull safely out of traffic if the message is urgent.
2. Don’t drive while under the influence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a campaign that states, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” This saying is important to remember when you have had a couple of drinks and are considering driving. Drinking causes a decline in vision, coordination, and concentration which are all vital to operate a motor vehicle. Be sure to have a plan in place to get home if you are drinking. Don’t let others drive under the influence either. Always be sure to have a designated driver arranged ahead of time or call a rideshare service to pick you up and make sure you get home alive.
3. Don’t drive while drowsy. Driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Ensuring you are well rested before beginning a long drive is important to ensure you arrive safely at your destination. Driving while drowsy affects your processing and reaction time, vision, and judgement. This can put you in a dangerous situation on the road. If you feel as if you are tired, pull over to the nearest rest stop to take a break, stretch, eat, and drink something before continuing on the road. 
4. Obey the speed limit. Speeding is dangerous and puts you and others at risk on the road. When you speed, you have a higher risk of having less time to react to an unexpected object in the road and losing control of your vehicle. Speeding, especially in bad weather, can be especially dangerous. When it is raining, which is common in Florida, the traction on a vehicles tire is lower. When you speed, your tires are getting even less traction on the road than if you obeyed the speed limits. This can cause you to hydroplane and can put you in a very dangerous situation. 
5. Look out for pedestrians and bikers. Bicyclists and pedestrians are common in Florida, and we often have to share the lane with bicyclists. As drivers, we need to ensure that we are double checking our mirrors and blind spots to make sure no bicyclists are in our blind spots. Florida law states that a bicyclist is recognized as a vehicle and must also obey the same traffic laws that vehicles follow. This means that they also have the same rights as a motor vehicle does. 
6. Always wear a seatbelt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts save around 14,955 lives every year. In 2022, 50% of fatalities that occurred in motor vehicle accidents were not buckled. Wearing a seatbelt saves lives. When you are wearing your seatbelt, you reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45% and critical injury by 50%. By wearing a seatbelt, you are protecting yourself from others on the road who may not be obeying the traffic laws, and if you get in an accident, you can prevent serious injury and prevent the risk of being ejected from your vehicle. 
7. Be courteous to other drivers. The Lee County Sheriff's Office advises that you don’t partake in road rage situations. Traffic can cause stress, which can cause people to get angry and upset on the road. Avoid this behavior and don’t partake in it. By avoiding hostile interactions, you are keeping yourself safe as well as the other people around you. Always use your turn signals and if you are driving slower, drive in the right lane of traffic, if available, to allow others to pass you. This allows you to avoid angry drivers and will allow for the flow of traffic to continue. 
8. Keep up with your vehicle maintenance. Making sure your vehicle is always maintained properly is important to proper driving. Avoiding the risk of stalling on a busy road or popping a tire because they’re worn down is vital to remaining safe while driving. Always have your vehicle checked as soon as any lights turn on and get regular oil changes to make sure your vehicle is running to the best of its ability. Also stay up to date on any manufacturer recalls on your vehicle. These are often overlooked but can be essential for your safety. You can research any recalls on the NHTSA website by clicking here. 

We at Spivey Law Firm want you to join us in making these safe driving new year’s resolutions for 2025 and we hope you remain safe on the road. By following the above resolutions, it allows you to take the first step toward being a safer driver. It is important to practice safe driving habits. We hope you have a safe and happy new year. 

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

Randall L. Spivey is a Florida Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney. In Florida, only 1% of the attorneys are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Only certified attorneys in Florida can be called a “specialist” or “expert” in their field. Randall Spivey has practiced exclusively plaintiff’s personal injury law in Fort Myers, Florida for nearly 30 years. The team at Spivey Law Firm is here to help if you are injured due to someone else’s negligence. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Florida due to another’s negligence, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. is here to assist you and your family 24/7. Our skilled legal team has won over $274 million dollars in compensation for our clients. We provide aggressive representation, personal contact, and communication throughout the litigation process. There are no costs or fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you. Please contact us at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online 24/7 at Spiveylaw.com today.