How to Stay Safe on the Road After COVID-19

Posted in Car accidents,Personal Injury on July 27, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the day-to-day activities of most people around this country. Early in the pandemic, as stay at home orders went into effect, there was significantly less traffic on the roadways. However, as the economy has opened back up, traffic has slowly returned to normal. Unfortunately, there have been reports from law enforcement agencies throughout the United States of an increase in speeding and reckless driving. How can you stay safe on the roadways during this ongoing pandemic? Our Nashville car accident attorneys have compiled these tips.

Get back into the practice of driving

Many drivers did not miss a beat when it came to operating their vehicles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The reality is that many people are essential workers who had to get to work. While the COVID-19 situation is changing daily, the likelihood of a full economic shutdown occurring again is fairly low.

As you and your family members return to the roadway, it is vital that you take the time to readjust to driving. As the amount of people working from home is reducing and people head back to their place of employment on a daily basis, the traffic jams will return. Now is a good time to follow these tips:

  • Inspect your vehicle. If you have driven your vehicle sporadically since March, it would not be a bad idea to ensure that the vehicle is in good working order. Check your vehicle tire pressure, the battery, and lights. It may be time for you to schedule an oil change as well.
  • Give yourself some more time. A commute that only took 15 minutes during the height of COVID-19 stay at home orders may now take 30 minutes or longer. Keep this in mind before you head to your destination and give yourself some more time to get there.
  • Avoid distractions. You should always stay focused on the roadway and the task of driving. Distracted driving is deadly driving. Staying distraction-free means that you should keep your phone out of your hands while you are driving.
  • Check your route before you leave. As traffic flow returns to normal in Tennessee, you can also expect that road work will resume regularly. You should always check your route using various “apps” for your phone or turning into the local news to figure out if there is any heavy traffic, construction zones, or road closures along your route.
  • Follow all traffic laws. While it should go without saying, you need to make sure that you follow all traffic laws. This includes following the posted speed limit, using your turn signal to change lanes and make turns, and moving over when emergency vehicles are approaching.

Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists

One of the few benefits that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the fact that more people are spending time exercising outdoors. However, this also means that there are more pedestrians and bicyclists out there who have become accustomed to less vehicle traffic. As you return to your daily commute, please be wary of any bicyclists or pedestrians in or around the roadway. These are vulnerable roadway users and are much more likely to sustain an injury in the event they are involved in a crash with a passenger vehicle. If you have additional questions, reach out to our expert injury attorneys in Nashville, TN.