Belmar Car Accident Lawyers Shares What Rules Drivers Break That Lead to Car Accidents

New Jersey rules of the road are designed to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. Unfortunately, when New Jersey drivers fail to follow “the rules of the road” accidents and car crashes can occur. One of the most common rules that drivers break that can lead to car accidents in New Jersey is speeding. However, there are many other factors that may contribute to automobile accidents in NJ. Belmar car accident lawyers at Clark Law Firm P.C. suggest that is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and eliminate any distractions while driving.

5 Rules of the Road New Jersey Drivers Frequently Abuse

Speeding: Speeding is a common cause of car accidents in Essex and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey. Sometimes speeding can be more minor where someone is only going 5 to 10 miles over the speed limit; but at other times someone might be speeding at dangerously high speeds.

The reason why speeding is so dangerous is that it doesn’t allow drivers to stop quickly in the event of an emergency or if there is a traffic hazard up ahead. It’s also difficult for a driver to see a speeding car that is driving so fast it sneaks up on them.

Tip: keep your distance from other vehicles and do not tailgate other cars.

Failing to Abide by Traffic Signals and Stop Signs: As Belmar car accident lawyers a portion of the accident cases that come to us are because a driver failed to abide by a traffic signal or a stop sign. Accidents caused by disregarding road signs may lead to catastrophic accidents and severe injuries for those involved.

Tip: There’s nothing you can do to make other people follow the rules of the road; however, being alert and aware of your surroundings can help you react quickly if you are placed in unsafe driving conditions.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: even though it’s against the law to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol, many New Jersey residents fail to abide by this rule. Part of the reason is when people are under the influence, their judgment is impaired, and they are not thinking rationally. They may falsely believe that they are ok to drive when in reality they are not.

Tip for drivers who are drinking: It’s better to spend a couple of dollars on requesting a Lyft or Uber rather than causing a car accident that can lead to severely injuring yourself and others.

Tip for drivers if you witness a driver under the influence: If you are on the road and notice a driver that seems impaired; it is best to call the non-emergency number to report the vehicle. If you are safely able to get their vehicle’s make, model, and license plate number that will be helpful for reporting the incident.

Tip: Remember to keep your distance from other drivers and do not tailgate. And if you are driving at night (and even during the day), be on the lookout for impaired drivers. If you see a driver that is driving outside of their lane or driving erratically, they may be driving under the influence or could be having a medical emergency.

Failing to Signal When Changing Lanes or Driving Erratically Through Multiple Lanes: some drivers drive like they own the entire freeway and do not signal when they are trying to switch lanes. This can cause accidents because the other driver does not anticipate them changing lanes and is not able to slow down to adapt for that change in time. Then there are also erratic drivers that may change three lanes over because they are in a hurry or under the influence. And unfortunately, it maybe that’s just how they drive on the road, but that does create dangerous road conditions for other drivers who are abiding by the rules.

Talking on a Cellphone without Hands-Free: New Jersey law prohibits drivers from talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. Drivers in New Jersey are permitted to utilize hands-free devices such as long as it only requires a simple swipe to access the device. Many user vehicles also come with hands-free phone software that allows drivers to safely be on their phones while driving.

Depending on the type of vehicle, it could come with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SYNC for Ford vehicles, Uconnect for Fiat Chrysler, and more.

Were You Involved in a Car Accident Because Another Driver Failed to Follow the Rules of the Road?

If you were involved in a car accident in Essex or Monmouth County, contact Belmar car accident lawyers at Clark Law Firm P.C. today. Call 1-877-841-8855 to speak to one of our experienced car crash lawyers. You can also chat with us online on our website.