You might think it’s difficult for drivers to get distracted when driving on the roads of New York because of all the congestion, but it still happens. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in the Big Apple and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Here are some tips for spotting distracted drivers so you can avoid a tragic accident.
Should you roll up next to a vehicle where the driver is wearing headphones, it’s a good bet he or she is distracted. Think about it; when you wear headphones doesn’t your mind wander? The outside world is shut out, especially sounds around you. This means the driver cannot hear the sirens of emergency vehicles or your horn, should you be laying on it because they are swerving towards your vehicle.
If the vehicle in front of you is having trouble staying in their lane of travel, the driver could very well be distracted. This is incredibly easy to notice because of the solid white shoulder line, the solid yellow center line or the stripped white line that divides lanes. If you notice this behavior, stay as far behind the vehicle as possible so as not to become involved in an accident.
Another tip for spotting potential distracted drivers is to watch how the vehicle in front of you brakes. If the driver frequently applies the brakes suddenly, it’s likely he or she is not paying attention to their surroundings.
If a vehicle in front of you has a delayed start at an intersection controlled by a traffic light, it’s possible they are doing something else besides paying attention when behind the wheel.
Never attempt to pass a driver that might be distracted because it could lead to an accident.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident stemming from a distracted driver, contact our firm to discuss your situation and how you can recover damages for the injuries sustained.