Not Driving While Distracted Can Save Lives
On Saturday, August 26th, Lachandra McCorkle passed away after a wreck with a police squad car. WBTV says that speed does not appear to be a factor; however, the investigation is ongoing. In the other car was Wraith Muhammad, who was off-duty at the time. While the investigation is still ongoing, and we do not know the exact cause of the crash in this case, it’s common for a lack of caution to lead to an accident. This situation leads to what may seem like a very simple tip for us all:
Be cautious on the road and look for emergency vehicles at all times. 30% of all accidents with police officers involve people who aren’t involved in a pursuit.
What can we do to prevent this kind of accident from happening again to someone else? Let’s take a closer look at some tips about how to watch out for emergency vehicles on the road.
Ridding yourself of distractions while driving can make you aware of your surroundings. Awareness of your surroundings means you are able to get out of the way of any emergency vehicle. You should still heed the laws of traffic even for off-duty emergency personnel. Distraction on their end, such as checking their cell phone, can be a recipe for disaster.
According to the CDC, about 9 people are killed every day due to driving while distracted. Around 1,000 accidents with at least one distracted driver are reported each year in the U.S. As you make your way toward your destination, make sure you aren’t endangering others; avoid distractions and keep an eye on your surroundings.
Giving Emergency Vehicles the Right-of-Way in Traffic
It is the law in North Carolina to stop your vehicle or yield to emergency vehicles. This is also known as the “Move Over Law.” People who do not obey the “Move Over Law” are causing a problem for emergency vehicles. They are causing wrecks and delaying response times.
It may seem like an inconvenience to you but it prevents a wreck from happening. It is important that emergency vehicles have a clear path when responding to emergencies. Obeying this law helps someone with a heart-attack reach the hospital without delay. It can also help a police officer stop a bank robbery in enough time to catch the robber.
Of course, obeying this law can also save your life. Emergency vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed when their lights are on. If they’re not anticipating a sudden stop, it’s much more like that they’ll get in a wreck if you do not move out of their way. This is not a result anyone wants, and you need to avoid it as much as possible. After all, no one wants to get into a wreck with emergency personnel.
Greenville, NC Auto Accident Attorneys
I’m Brian Ricci, a car accident lawyer serving Greenville, NC and the surrounding areas. If you have suffered a personal injury due to a car crash, please call me anytime at (252) 777-2222for free, friendly advice. The call is free and there is no obligation to you.
I am a longtime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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