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Cautious drivers are vigilant about staying safe on the road. Any lapse in judgement or failure to exercise situational awareness could result in a serious accident. Even if you consider yourself to be an excellent driver, you have to remain conscientious about safety at all times. Here are four ways to stay safe while you are driving. 1. Avoid weaving between lanes When you are in a rush to get somewhere, you may feel compelled to weave around traffic and frequently switch lanes. However, you should avoid frequently changing lanes to lessen the possibility that you will fail to see a speeder in your blind spot and be involved in a collision. 2. Do not use your cell phone Distracted driving in New York City is a serious problem. Using a cell phone while driving is a leading cause of accidents that result from distracted driving. Refrain from talking or texting while you are driving, even if you are at a stop light. 3. Do not instigate altercations with other drivers When another driver does something dangerous on the road, you may be understandably upset. However, you should not attempt to initiate contact with the other driver. Tensions can escalate quickly, and a negative verbal exchange could ultimately result in a violent confrontation. 4. Avoid driving during dangerous weather If you can avoid driving during unsafe weather conditions, it is highly advisable that you do so. Also, it is very important that you follow all county and state directives to stay off the road during a weather emergency.

Car accidents caused by distracted drivers are a huge problem nationwide, including here on Long Island. In fact, nearby New York City might have the most distracted drivers in the country, if a recent survey by auto insurance comparison site The Zebra is to be believed. The company interviewed 2,605 American drivers online, including at least 100 people from each of 25 major American cities. The respondents answered questions about how often they committed certain distracted driving acts from a scale of 0 (never) to 10 (always). The Zebra then aggregated each city's scores, giving them a maximum possible value of 100. New York came in first place with an aggregate score of 43.7. Washington, D.C., was the only other city with a score above 40. Distractions besides phones We all know that smartphones have driven the distracted driving issue for the past several years. A total of 58 percent of those surveyed admitted that they had read something on their phones while driving, and 56 percent said they have texted and driven before. But other bad habits were also common, such as drivers who said they pick their nose (47.2 percent), eat a full meal (35.9 percent), kiss somebody else (27 percent), or change their clothes while behind the wheel (26.8 percent). This survey relied on self-reporting, which could mean that many of the subjects minimized the extent of their distracted driving habits. But the picture is clear: virtually every time you are driving in or around New York City, you will be next to a distracted driver for at least a few seconds -- more than enough time for that bad driver to hit you and give you serious injuries. What to do after a distracted driver injured you or your child Whenever you are hurt in an auto accident that was somebody else's fault, you have the right to pursue financial compensation. The help of a personal injury attorney with substantial trial experience can greatly improve your chances of full financial recovery.

Even a relatively minor auto accident can be nerve-wracking. When a collision leads to injury or death, the confusion and chaos of the aftermath often leave those involved feeling deeply shaken and disoriented. Even if you consider yourself a safe driver, it is a good idea to prepare yourself for the worst by knowing what to do after an accident before it happens. Your priority should be your own safety and the safety of others present, but if you are able, it is a good idea to gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. Doing so helps to improve the likelihood of recovering costs for injuries or property damage from your insurance company. Full documentation may also become crucial if you decide to file an injury claim against another driver, or if another driver files a claim against you. Exchange information Under New York law, drivers involved in a collision must stop and exchange information, regardless of the severity of the accident. Make sure to get the other driver’s name, address and license plate number, as well as insurance and vehicle registration information, including the year and make. In New York, drivers may provide proof of insurance in either paper or electronic format. You should also be sure to get the names and contact information of any passengers or other drivers involved. Document the incident If possible, make sure to take photographs or videos of your injuries, the scene of the accident and any property damage. If there are witnesses present, you should try to get their names, addresses and telephone numbers as well, because they may be able to give important testimony in a potential lawsuit. Finally, get the badge number and name of any police officers at the scene, and make sure to get a copy of the official police report when it becomes available.

When you need a ride around Long Island, you may choose a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft. These services can give you a relatively affordable ride compared to cabs. And you can have the driver come directly to your door to pick you up. However, like any vehicle, Uber and Lyft cars can have accidents. When you get into the back seat of a ride-hailing cab, you have the choice to wear a seat belt. But if you are like many passengers, you may choose not to buckle up. Riding without a seat belt can put you at serious risk of injury if your driver crashes. Passengers without a seat belt put themselves and others in danger When back-seat riders don’t buckle up, they become much more prone to severe injuries. One study says that the chance for injury in an accident is eight times that of buckled passengers. And they can also cause harm to other people if they fly around the car. Many riders of ride-hailing services don’t buckle up Despite the dangers, passengers in the back seat of cabs often don’t protect themselves with a seat belt. Studies in different cities have shown anywhere from 26% to 52% of rear-seat riders put themselves at risk in ride-hailing cabs. Safety advocates say that when people get into someone else’s back seat, many don’t feel obliged by the law or by safety standards to wear a seat belt. Riding in a cab means relying on the driver When you get into another person’s car, you must put your faith in their ability to drive safely. Since you don’t have control over the vehicle, you rely on the driver to get you to your destination without incident. However, in the busy streets of Long Island, anything can happen. Even if you have a short trip, you may find yourself involved in an accident. Wearing a seat belt may help you avoid serious injuries.

With the cold weather starting in November, winter seems to be coming early this year. And with winter weather comes snow and icy roads. As a New Yorker, you know how dangerous road conditions can get this time of year. Drivers who go too fast or don’t have experience put you in danger of serious car accidents. For you to stay as safe as possible, here are a few tips from the American Automobile Association (AAA) for driving in winter weather: If you don’t have to drive, don’t! When snow and ice cover the roads, the best way you can stay safe is to avoid driving altogether. If you do have to go out, drive only as fast as the conditions allow. You have less stopping power on icy roads. Slow down well before a stop sign. And leave more room between you and the car in front of you. Your tires should be in good condition. Keeping them inflated and making sure they have tread helps increase your traction. When the road is icy, avoid cruise control. Winter will soon settle in over you in New York. As you travel for work and holidays, you put yourself at risk of the actions of other drivers. Overconfident drivers can lose control and slide all over the highway, threatening your safety. And an accident on snowy roads can cause you severe injuries and lead to expensive medical bills. While you can’t control other drivers, you can take steps to keep yourself safe on winter roads.

It's no mystery that driving an automobile while tired is a serious hazard, but more than one in three drivers admit that they've operated a vehicle while drowsy. A contributing factor to this problem may be the prevalence of sleep aids in New York and other states. Many people who take these types of drugs report getting behind the wheel within seven hours after taking a dose. According to most medications, users of sleep aids need to plan for at least seven or eight hours of uninterrupted sleep after taking a pill. Due to a lack of public transit options, drowsy driving can be almost impossible for people in most areas to avoid. There are, however, some guidelines that people can follow to avoid getting behind the wheel when tired. The first is to try to get at least seven hours of sleep per night. If someone isn't able to get this much sleep or is still tired after seven hours, they should consult with their doctor. While in the car, there are a few things drivers can do to stave off fatigue. If possible, a tired driver should hand off driving duties to a companion. If no one else is around, taking a break for a few hours could restore energy. Drinking a caffeinated beverage may also be helpful. Driving with the windows down or playing music loud isn't proven to reduce drowsiness. People who have been injured in car accidents caused by drowsy driving may be able to get compensation for their medical bills, property damage, rehabilitation and other losses. A lawyer may examine the circumstances of an accident and help their client determine if pursuing legal action is their best option.

Distracted driving is an epidemic in New York as in many other states, and everyone is susceptible to it. Though the use of smartphones and navigation systems has been rising, this is far from the only possible distraction. Anything that takes one's attention from the road is a distraction. First, drivers are advised to put their phones on Do Not Disturb mode and refrain from talking on hands-free devices as well. If they must make a call, they can do so after pulling over safely. Next, drivers should be aware that the more passengers there are, the more likely they will be distracted by conversations. Drivers could limit how many passengers they take. Experts also recommend a no-eating policy for everyone in the car. This will prevent food spills and arguments between children over the food they have. Drivers should try to eat their breakfast at home rather than during their morning commute. One other top distraction for drivers is fatigue. Drivers who sleep little, have a sleep disorder or consume alcohol before heading out will become drowsy and, thus, inattentive. In extreme cases, they may have memory lapses and drift out of their lane. On long trips, drivers may take short naps and drink coffee to stay awake. Those who are injured by a distracted driver in a motor vehicle crash may wonder if they have grounds for a claim. If they do, they may be reimbursed for their medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost wages and other economic and non-economic damages. A lot may depend on having legal representation. Auto insurance companies might be aggressive in denying claims, but a lawyer may persevere in negotiations. As a last resort, the lawyer may prepare the case for a trial.

New York truck drivers could cause accidents for a number of different reasons. For example, some drivers get behind the wheel despite their fatigue. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving and could lead to a serious accident. Many accidents are caused by speeding. Speeding can be tempting for truck drivers who will make more if they can deliver loads more quickly, but it can also be dangerous. Drunk driving is another danger. However, distracted driving has replaced it as a top cause of motor vehicle accidents, and it doesn't just mean talking on a cellphone. Bending down to pick up an item, eating or even emotional distress can be distracting. Although a truck may cause an accident, the driver is not always at fault. Improperly loaded cargo could destabilize the truck and make it dangerous to take sharp curves, or debris could fall off the truck and injure another driver. If equipment is not maintained, this could also lead to an accident. A brake malfunction is a particular danger since trucks carry heavy loads and need to be able to stop relatively quickly. Weather can also cause problems for truck drivers. Empty big rigs are at a greater risk for hydroplaning, and truck drivers should take precautions or even pull off the road in inclement weather. If a truck accident occurs, it is necessary to determine who is at fault because compensation may be owed to people who are injured. If a truck driver caused the accident, the trucking company might also be considered financially liable. People who are in an accident should document as much as they can in the immediate aftermath since it can be a struggle to get insurance companies to pay adequate compensation.

New York motorists should be aware that the Department of Transportation plans to scale back federal rules on the number of hours truck drivers can remain driving before being required to rest. The trucking industry has long since been advocating for a relaxing of the rules. Detractors of the federal agency's plans state that such a move will make the regulations inadequate and will result in safety hazards as a result of fatigued drivers. The federal regulations that are in place now require long-haul truck drivers to drive no more than 11 hours within a 14-hour period of being on duty. The drivers are also required to have had 10 straight hours of being off duty before their on-duty period begins again. Also, any truckers who will be driving in excess of eight hours are required to take a 30-minute break before the eight-hour mark arrives. Truck drivers who are found to be in violation of the rules are subject to being tagged as out of service for at least one day. Depending on how many days they are prohibited from being on the road, this can have a severe impact on their income, as they are generally paid for each mile they travel. Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that there were 4,237 fatal large truck accidents in 2017, with 344,000 non-fatal crashes that resulted in injuries. A personal injury attorney may work to help clients obtain financial compensation for injuries sustained in truck accidents caused by negligent drivers. Lawsuits may be filed against commercial truck drivers who operated their vehicles while deprived of sleep and caused accidents that resulted in harm to occupants of other vehicles.

Many drivers in New York are under the impression that advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are able to replace them behind the wheel. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has conducted a study to see just how widespread these misconceptions are. Researchers say that drivers' ignorance, combined with imperfect technology and misleading advertising from the automakers themselves, is creating a dangerous situation. Of the more than 2,000 participants in the IIHS study, nearly half believed that the Autopilot program (by Tesla) would allow them to drive without ever touching the steering wheel. Over 30% thought it would be safe to talk on the phone while driving with Autopilot on. A small group even assumed that Autopilot would allow them to take a nap. The reality is that Autopilot, like other ADAS on the market, only allows for level two automated driving. There are five levels of automation with level two requiring drivers to still be alert and actively engaged in operating their vehicle. Level five allows for full autonomous driving, but vehicles are far from achieving this. The IIHS study also involved 80 people watching a video on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle wrongly advertised as self-driving. Many participants struggled in understanding why some safety devices would become inactive. Others did not understand the features' limitations. While ADAS are meant to prevent motor vehicle crashes, they may contribute to some crashes if drivers do not grasp the limitations. Negligent drivers' may face a personal injury claim afterwards: or rather, their auto insurance company will. Victims who intend to file a claim might want to retain legal representation since the insurance company will bring forward its own team of lawyers to argue against the claim and deny payment. If negotiations fail, a lawyer may prepare the case for court.

Many New York car buyers may be interested in the advanced autonomous technology offered by Tesla. However, a recent series of tests conducted by Consumer Reports magazine suggest that the company's Autopilot feature may not be as safe as its marketing materials claim. After putting cars equipped with Autopilot through their paces, Consumer Reports concluded that using the system was more stressful than driving. The Consumer Reports researchers compared using Autopilot to watching a child trying to drive a car. The autonomous system is designed to change lanes, speed up and slow down automatically. However, rigorous testing reveals that it often performs these tasks in unexpected and dangerous ways. Testers discovered that the system reacts poorly when vehicles approach from the rear. They also noticed that its automatic braking feature often engages vigorously, without warning and for no apparent reason. The Consumer Report tests are the latest in a series of setbacks for Tesla's efforts to introduce autonomous driving features. The carmaker tells drivers to remain alert and vigilant when using Autopilot, but a series of deadly crashes involving Tesla cars equipped with the system reveal that this advice is often ignored. Tesla blames these accidents on driver error and claims that its cars have covered millions of miles without incident when the feature is used properly. The sensors that systems like Autopilot rely on keep detailed electronic records of both vehicle and driver behavior. This information is often useful to motor vehicle accident investigators, and it could also provide crucial evidence in a lawsuit filed on behalf of a personal injury victim. This is one of the reasons why a personal injury attorney may seek to have the vehicles involved in an accident inspected.

Despite the attention focused on distracted driving and other smartphone-linked dangerous behaviors, one of the most consistent threats to roadway safety in New York and around the country is speeding. As a result, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is focusing on that during its upcoming Operation Safe Driver Week. During the week, police will be looking for commercial vehicles as well as passenger cars violating safety rules, particularly speeders. In fact, speeding is linked to 94% of all traffic accidents, even when other causes were also involved in the incident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition, speeding is linked to over 25% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents, a figure that has held firm for over 20 years. In 2017, 9,717 people lost their lives due to excessive speed. Spokespeople for the safety week said that this is an unacceptable risk that is completely preventable. They urged the importance of public education about the dangers of speeding as well as increased law enforcement targeting speeders. The safety week will not restrict itself to speeding, however, as police will also look for distracted driving, texting, improper lane changing, aggressive driving, and failing to use seat belts. Operation Safe Driver Week usually includes an increase in the number of traffic citations issued. Police noted that these tickets can be unpopular but effective in reducing dangerous roadway behavior. In 2018, nearly 17,000 passenger vehicle drivers and almost 2,000 commercial drivers received speeding tickets during the week. Overall, 57,405 citations were issued during the week for a variety of causes. Speeding can also make car accidents more serious, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities. Occupants of other vehicles who have been injured in such a crash might want to have legal assistance when seeking compensation for their losses.