Autumn is here and the new season means changes to the weather and road conditions. While fall does bring many beautiful days with it, as well as respite from that terrible summer heat, there’s also an increase in hazards that arise because of the changes. It’s important, as a motorist, to be on the lookout for roadside risks.
At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we want you all to be as safe as possible on these roads. That’s why our devoted lawyers would like to offer you some preventative tips to help you avoid having to deal with the life changing effects that can happen because of an auto accident.
Make sure to always give your utmost attention when behind the wheel and also keep in mind the following changes:
Daylight Savings Switch
This year, Daylight Savings Time is set to end on November 6th at 2 AM.
While there’s still a bit of time left before this occurs, it’s important to remain aware of what happens when those clocks roll back an hour. To begin with, the earlier sunset means that more people are heading home after it’s already gotten dark, which brings with it a bevy of issues including the most obvious – nighttime driving.
Another major issue that occurs as a result of dimly lit roads is that drivers tend to have a more difficult time staying awake on the drive home. With darkness setting earlier, you may find yourself drowsy and having difficulty staying alert, so watch out for these signs that can lead to dangerous situations:
- Inability to stay focused
- Missing traffic signs, lights, or exits
- Excessive tiredness
- Overly frequent yawning
- Continual daydreaming
- Severe difficulty remembering the past few miles that you have driven
If you should happen to experience any of these of symptoms while behind the wheel, it’s best for your own safety, and the safety of those around you, that you pull over to rest for a moment or even to pick up a cup of coffee or energy drink to revitalize you a bit.
“Pull over and rest for a moment if you’re drowsy while driving.” – click to tweet
Falling asleep behind the wheel, or even just being inattentive, can lead to serious injury or tragedy.
Holiday Happenings
Fall brings with it the festivities of the holiday season. Within a few short months many of us will be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and a variety of other meaningful holidays.
However, despite the general congeniality of the season, there’s also an increase in stress which often times leads to aggressive or distracted driving.
While running to-and-fro in your attempt to devise the perfect holiday get together is a noble cause, it’s also important that you avoid becoming frustrated and rushing from destination to destination.
Keep distractions to a minimum and drive defensively, but not aggressively:
- Do not text or talk on a cell phone
- Avoid staring at your GPS device while driving
- Follow road rules, signals, speed limits, and traffic signs, especially in school zones
- Do not follow other drivers too closely
- Do not utilize high beams around other drivers
- Holiday season means family parties, but avoid drinking and driving
- Avoid personal grooming while on the road
“The holiday season means driving defensively, not aggressively.” – click to tweet
Even when you’re being cautious, others may be driving erratically, so take the following steps to keep a safe distance:
- Stay calm and move out of the aggressive driver’s path
- The far right hand lane is usually the safest lane
- Avoid making socially inappropriate gestures
- Call the police if necessary
The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy your family and get some much needed time off, so don’t let the hustle and bustle of the season cause you to make mistakes behind the wheel.
Deer Xing
For many residents of the Rio Grande Valley, the holiday season also means traveling up north, and the cooler weather often leads to more deer sightings all throughout the state. From county back roads to state highways, deer-related accidents have the potential to be fatal.
Decrease your risks of crashing into a deer by:
- Driving the speed limit
- Observe traffic signs that warn of deer crossings
- Scanning the sides of the roads for signs of wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk
Even when following these precautions, if you should find yourself driving head on into a deer, attempt to brake firmly and use your horn. If the crash appears to be unavoidable, DO NOT swerve away from the animal. Crashes that happen in this situation tend to occur because the motorist swerves to avoid the deer and instead strikes another vehicle, runs off the road, or overcompensates and rolls over.
Fall through summer; J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys is here for you all year.
Fall is a gorgeous season in Texas and our lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want to ensure that you and your loved ones remain safe on the road.
But sometimes accidents happen and you’ll need support from a team of lawyers that are knowledgeable, caring, and experienced. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then give us call at (956) 630-6700.
- Gonzalez Law Firm is here when you need us – all year long.
