Road safety involves the laws and precautions that are put in place to protect drivers from accidents and other hazards. It is a broad term that refers to the policies, strategies and behaviors that are intended for the safety of everyone on the road.

It’s not just about motor vehicles – road safety laws are meant to cover all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Although one of the objectives of road safety is to prevent accidents, it involves cultivating a sense of responsibility for all who use the roads in Dallas. Even though there are many measures in place to keep everyone safe, accidents still happen and laws must look forward to addressing new ways to make road safety rules evolve for better protection.

What are the road safety rules that are established to prevent accidents?

Texas state laws reflect road safety requirements. These rules are in place to prevent accidents that cause injury and death. Here is what is expected of all drivers.

Obey the traffic laws

Every driver on the road, along with pedestrians and cyclists, must respect the traffic rules in force. This includes obeying speed limits, obeying road signs and traffic signals, and adjusting your driving to current weather conditions. In addition, all drivers and passengers must wear their seat belts when the vehicle is in motion on the road.

Stay focused

There are consequences for drivers who don’t stay focused on the road. You should always be focused on the task of driving and avoid distractions. Drivers who get into accidents while texting, eating, or performing another task that impairs their visual, manual, or cognitive abilities can be held liable for the injuries and damages they cause as a result of an accident.

Maintain your vehicle

All drivers must also do their part to keep their vehicles safe. When routine maintenance responsibilities are neglected, you can end up with a car with worn out brakes or worn out tires. If the brakes fail or a tire blows, the driver who neglected to take care of his vehicle could be held responsible for an accident.

Stay awake behind the wheel

Drinking and driving, or drugging and driving, is illegal. These substances can cause delayed reaction times or lead to poor decision making. You should never get behind the wheel while intoxicated. The criminal repercussions you will face will affect your future and could affect your career. Additionally, if you were to be in an accident while under the influence, you would likely face a lawsuit from the injured driver.

Common causes of car accidents in Dallas

When others do not follow the legal frameworks that are in place to keep the roads safe and prevent accidents, you may find yourself the victim in an accident. The most common causes of these occurrences tend to be distraction, intoxication, speed and reckless driving behaviors, all human error.

Distracted driving

As mentioned, distracted driving can fall into one of three categories – visual, manual, or cognitive – although some actions can encompass all three types. For example, texting while driving is visual, manual, and cognitive all at once. While texting and driving is one of the biggest distractions, many drivers in Dallas get into accidents by doing other things they shouldn’t be doing while driving. You put on makeup, shave, eat, change the music on the stereo, try to grab something from the back seat or talk to the passengers.

Driving while intoxicated

Despite campaigns by the Texas Department of Transportation to bring awareness and prevention to drunk driving, it still occurs with alarming frequency. It’s even more annoying now that there are rideshare options that make it much easier to get home after a night of too many. When drivers get behind the wheel while intoxicated, the results are often life-changing or deadly. If you have been in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you should not hesitate to talk to an attorney about your legal options.

Speeding

Some people don’t leave enough time to get to work, leave late and rush through traffic. They believe speeding up will help them get there on time. Unfortunately, the faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes for a safe stopping distance. If traffic stops suddenly, a speeding driver may not be able to avoid an accident.

There are laws in place that set speed limits on the roads. A driver who disobeys these laws will most likely be held responsible for the injuries and damages they cause to others.

Reckless driving

Along with speeding, other reckless driving behaviors are rampant and put everyone at risk in the pursuit of better road safety and accident prevention. Reckless drivers will swerve in and out of lanes, act aggressively with their brakes or brakes, or engage in road rage behavior that terrifies others.

What to do if you are in a Dallas accident caused by another driver

You are likely to be a reasonable and cautious driver who always obeys the rules. While being safe, paying attention and driving defensively can help minimize your risk, there are no guarantees. If you are in a car accident, the first thing to remember is to call the police. They will come to file a police report and investigate the place.

The report they create will likely indicate whether the other driver broke the laws and drove in an unsafe manner. This can help you in the event of a car accident, especially if you are gathering evidence at the scene. Another important thing to do is to get medical treatment. Many injuries are often not immediately visible after a car accident and can worsen into life-threatening conditions.

Once you have received medical attention, contact a reputable car accident attorney. They can help you hold the negligent driver accountable for all the financial losses they caused you when they failed to follow the laws in place for everyone’s road safety.

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