Motorists have all heard about the dangers of distracted driving, but there is a new epidemic among drivers that has led to more Sarasota car crashes and traffic accidents throughout this nation. Failure to use turn signals when driving has caused and is still causing major problems on the roads.
Although there are laws in place that require drivers to signal their intentions at least 100 yards before they make a turn and to signal when they want to change lanes, many fail to do so. When drivers don’t use their turn signals, other drivers do not know where they are going or what they are going to do, which can lead to a car crash.
A new study presented by the Society of Automotive Engineers reveals that an alarming number of drivers are not using their turn signals, which has led to millions of traffic accidents. Although many people don’t think that a flip of the blinker can keep them out of trouble on the roads, this study proves otherwise.
Automotive experts claim that not using blinkers increases chances of an auto accident in Sarasota and throughout this nation. The statistics that back this claim up include:
- Two million collisions annually are caused by drivers failing to use their turn signals
- 25% of drivers fail to use their turn signals when making a turn
- 48% of the time drivers forget to use their turn signals when changing lanes
What You Can Do to Avoid a Sarasota Car Crash
When you think about changing lanes or making a turn, remember to use your turn signal. All it takes is a flick of the wrist, and it will help you to stay safer on the roads and increase the safety of the motorists sharing the road with you.
If you are driving next to someone who has a blinker on, make room to let the vehicle over. People who use their turn signals should be allowed over rather than not forced out. By engaging in this type of behavior, it sends the wrong message to other drivers, encouraging them not to use their blinkers and sneak their way in.
If you have been injured due to another driver not using his or her turn signals, you may have rights to financial compensation for your damages, medical bills, income lost due to time off of work, instances of pain and suffering, and more. To find out more about your rights after a Sarasota auto accident, please call a skilled Sarasota car crash lawyer at Mallard Perez today at (888) 409-3805 for a free, no-obligation discussion of your case, and request a complimentary copy of our book, The Florida Accident Handbook: What You Need to Know After a Florida Auto, Truck or Bike Accident.
