A recent car accident in Port St. Lucie left one driver in critical condition. The accident happened at about 2:30 a.m. near La Buona Vita Drive when a 29-year-old driver slammed into the back of another vehicle that was traveling on the outside lane.
The other driver involved in the accident was 21-years-old and suffered minor injuries. The rear-ending driver was taken to Lawnwood Medical Center and was last listed in critical condition, according to The Palm Beach Post.
Our Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys understand how dangerous it is out there during this time of the year. Your risks for a car accident increase dramatically when the sun sets, too. Sometimes there’s just no getting around nighttime driving. For this reason, we’re asking all drives to be on the lookout when driving during the evening hours. Safe and alert driving habits during this time may be one of your best defenses against an accident with a not so careful driver.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the death rate from car accidents triples when the sun goes down. Nighttime driving is more dangerous and more difficult that many may think. One of the biggest problems with this is that because drivers fail to actually see dangers on the road (because it’s dark out) they think that these dangers don’t exist. Light or dark, the dangers, the risks and the hazards are still there. These risks increase for drivers of all ages, but younger drivers have a more difficult time navigating our roadways during this time and have higher risks for accidents. Luckily, officials with the NSC are here to offer drivers of all ages with some safety tips to help to improve safety when driving during the evening hours.
Nighttime Driving Safety Tips:
-Get yourself ready for nighttime driving. Make sure that your windows, your turn signals, your taillights and your headlights are clean.
-Make sure that you headlights are aimed properly. Headlights that aren’t aimed properly not only can blind other drivers but they can reduce your ability to see the road.
-Never drink and drive. Alcohol-related car accidents are more common during the evening hours that during the daytime. Alcohol severely impairs your ability to drive and can induce fatigue.
-You should avoid smoking when you drive. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes can hamper night vision.
-You should always drive with your headlights on. Not only do they help you to see your surroundings better, but they also help other drivers to see you.
-Slow down when driving at night.
-Never tailgate when it’s dark out. As a matter of fact, you should increase your following distance during this time.
-It’s a good idea to make frequent stops for light snacks and movement.
-If you feel sleepy at all, pull over, stop and get some rest. Never push through the symptoms of drowsiness.
If you or a family member has been involved in a car accident in Port St. Lucie, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie or elsewhere in South Florida, the personal injury lawyers at Freeman & Mallard are here to offer assistance and are here to help your to fight for your rights. Call us today to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Risks of Injury in St. Lucie Lessened with Launch of Yellow Dot Program, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, July 7, 2012
Accident on the Florida Turnpike Kills Pedestrian, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, July 4, 2012