Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

Driving in Pennsylvania can be dreadful depending on the traffic conditions, the weather or unexpected environmental hazards that distract from a person's focus and visibility. People who do not put adequate effort toward focusing on what they are doing while they are driving, are at a much higher risk of being involved in a serious car accident that could alter their life or that of someone else. 

While the majority of people are familiar with statistics discussing the dangers of reckless behavior like speeding or texting while driving, many people still participate in such behaviors at some point or another. Nationwide Insurance suggests that people consider implementing a safe driving plan. This personal commitment to driving safely can maintain some general practices, but fluctuate in terms of detail each time a person drives.

Almost every state has laws requiring the use of seatbelts for both drivers and passengers.

However, a study undertaken by university researchers looks at the effectiveness of primary and secondary enforcement seat belt laws in terms of helping to prevent traffic fatalities.

When you get into your vehicle, turn the ignition and prepare to drive, every possible distraction should be eliminated and your full focus should be on driving safely. Participating in risky behaviors while you are operating a vehicle can put you at a significantly higher chance of being involved in an accident that could have been preventable with more cautious behavior. One distraction, and one that can get you in serious legal trouble in Pennsylvania is the decision to drive while you are drunk. 

One fact that many people wrongfully discount is just how little alcohol consumption it takes for their body to become compromised. Your understanding of the direct correlation between your blood alcohol content and the way you are able to react while driving can help to illustrate just how dangerous drinking and driving is. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at only a .02 percent blood alcohol content level, your judgment can be impaired enough to delay your ability to make important decisions in an appropriate period of time. 

Football season in Pennsylvania is very popular, and watching the game or tailgating often includes drinking alcohol. For those watching numerous games, this can result in hours of drinking. Unfortunately, some choose to get behind the wheel after drinking too much, and this puts other people on the road in danger. Because drunk driving accidents tend to rise during this time, it is important to remember how alcohol affects driving and to always assign a designated driver.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 30 people each day are the victims of fatal accidents due to drunk driving, and operating a vehicle after drinking at a game increases the chances of a crash. It is illegal for anyone to drive if they have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, but even one drink can begin to affect one's ability to drive. Some of the early effects of alcohol include a lapse in judgment, less alertness, difficulty focusing eyes and reduced coordination. At illegal limits, more pronounced effects include a lowered ability to brake in a timely manner, loss of speed control and difficulty controlling the vehicle.