McKinney has been one of the fastest growing cities in the country for a number of years. According to the Census Bureau, in 2006 we were named the fastest growing city in the United States.
All of this growth has come at a price, namely increased traffic, longer commutes to Dallas for work and recreation, as well as an uptick in traffic accidents.
Car accidents are on the rise again after years of decline. Government statistics show that in 2016 a total of 40,200 people were killed in car accidents in the U.S. In the Lone Star state, a total of 518,577 car accidents occurred in 2015 causing 246,335 injuries and killing 3,531 people.
Staying safe out on the road not only protects your family, it will keep your insurance premium affordable. Here are a few safe driving tips for the next time you are out on the road:
- Keep Your Eyes on the Road: Distracted driving is a major problem out on the roads these days. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 3,477 people were killed because of distracted driving in 2015. Another 391,000 were injured. Never use your phone or any other electronic devices when you are behind the wheel.
- Wear Your Seat Belt: Everyone in the vehicle should be buckled in before you even turn the car on. NHTSA data shows that a half of all fatalities in car accidents were people who were not wearing a seatbelt. This is especially true for younger passengers. An astounding 70 percent of fatal car accident victims between the ages of 13 and 15 were not buckled up at the time of the accident.
- Always Drive Sober: Drinking and driving often results in an accident and in many cases, fatalities. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that roughly 10,000 people were killed in crashes that were related to impaired drivers in 2014. This translates into roughly 31 percent of all driving related deaths.
- Drive the Speed Limit: Increasing your speed by 10 mph ups your chances of an accident by 50 percent. Always drive the speed limit or even below the limit if the weather or road conditions are bad.
- Expect the Unexpected: Always drive defensively, and expect the unexpected out on the road. Keep a two second cushion between you and the driver in front of you, if the weather is bad, use a four second cushion to allow for increased stopping distances.
- Don’t Drive Drowsy: Driving tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. A study by Virginia Tech discovered that 20 percent of all motor vehicle accidents have sleepiness as a contributing factor to the accident. Never drive while tired or drowsy, pull off the road and rest.
- Keep Your Vehicle in Working Order: A safe vehicle can help prevent an accident. Keep your tires properly inflated, have the fluids checked and changed on regular basis and always make sure your brakes and safety equipment are in good working order.
- Plan Your Trip: This is especially true for long trips. Stop often for food and drink as well as a chance to stretch your legs and visit a bathroom.
- Keep an Emergency Kit in the Car: In the event of an accident or other emergency, having a properly outfitted emergency kit can literally be a lifesaver. Keep an emergency kit in your car and refresh and refill it on a regular basis.
Hopefully these tips will keep you safe out on the road the next time you are commuting to Dallas, heading off on an errand or even on a long summer road trip.
