Rules of the Road: Why Following the Law Matters

Traffic fatalities claim the lives of over 30,000 Americans every year, making it vital to know the rules of the road before you hit the street. In 2018, 36,560 Americans died in car crashes, one of the highest amounts on record in recent years. Traffic laws help to mitigate many of the risks of the road, provided everyone knows them and adheres to them. Following the law can keep you safe while you’re driving and is vital to staying out of legal trouble. 

Should you be in an accident, your strict adherence to the law can benefit you in a court of law and in seeking compensation from another driver. Find out why it matters to follow the law when you’re on the road and how you can do it.

Wear Your Seatbelt

It can be tempting to joyride without a seat belt, but you place yourself at great risk of harm and legal trouble if you don’t buckle up before hitting the road. Mandatory seat belt laws for front seat drivers exist in every state and the District of Columbia except New Hampshire. Another 31 states have mandatory seat belt laws for adult passengers in the rear seats. There’s a good chance that if you’re not wearing a seat belt while your car is in motion, you’re in violation of the law. Should you be pulled over or become the victim of an accident, you could face a ticket or worse.

Stay Off Your Cell Phone

Answering a few texts while you’re on a quiet stretch of road can seem harmless, right? Unfortunately, doing so can be used as evidence against you should you be in a car accident. While you’re texting, you could easily lose track of the following on the road:

Other drivers

Pedestrians

Bicyclists

Speed limits

Obstacles

Changes in the road

Weather conditions

Many states have laws against cell phone usage while you’re operating a motor vehicle. Using your phone to call or text while you’re driving leaves an electronic trail that can be used to establish you were distracted and are responsible in full or part for your accident.

Follow the Speed Limit

Speeding is a dangerous and illegal activity that can land you with an expensive ticket and keep you from where you’re trying to go. Speed limits are set to safely govern the flow of traffic, and if you move too fast (or too slow) you can throw off this delicate balancing act. If you are violating the speed limit of the road you’re on, you may get pulled over, and with too many tickets on your record, you could face a temporary or even permanent suspension of your license.

Don’t Drive While Intoxicated

Driving while under the influence of a controlled substance, such as drugs or alcohol, places yourself and other motorists at grave risk of collision. When driving under the influence, your reflexes will be impaired, even if you feel like you’re in full control of them. In all likelihood, your driving will be erratic enough to tip-off a police officer, who may stop you and give you a DUI or DWI. In the worst cases, you could collide with another car, a pedestrian, a motorcyclist or bicyclist, or an obstacle on the road.

Seek Legal Advice

Sometimes, even when we play by the rules, we still are victims of unfortunate events. If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can argue your case and help you obtain justice and the compensation to which you’re entitled. A traffic accident can change your life forever, but with the right legal representation, you can take great strides to make it whole again.