Is Your Car Maintained Properly?
If your car isn’t working well, it won’t be able to stop or change direction as quickly as you might need it to. This could lead to a tragedy in Rochester that would otherwise be avoidable. Make sure that your car is getting the regular maintenance it needs. In the fourth quarter of 2020, there were nearly 234,700 auto repair and maintenance centers in the United States. That means there is somewhere near you where you can get the necessary work done. Don’t put it off, or else you might end up with car problems that will result in bigger bills and more risk while you’re driving.
Buy a Dashboard Camera
Dashboard cameras are growing in popularity, both for personal and professional vehicles. In 2000, we estimated that only 3,400 highway patrol and state police vehicles had cameras on board. This was only 11% of vehicles. Today, about 72% of state police vehicles use in-car video systems. By having a camera recording as you drive, you can be sure that you have an accurate record of anything that happens. You’ll also be aware that your actions are being recorded, so you’re more likely to exercise caution. If you’re driving in Rochester, a dashboard camera can help protect both you and the surrounding pedestrians.
Always Follow Traffic Laws
It can be tempting to drive above the speed limit or take an illegal turn to save yourself some time. However, even the best drivers can injure a pedestrian when they break the law. The pedestrian isn’t expecting you to make an illegal move, so even if they’re following the law, your actions are putting them at risk. Make sure that you always follow the traffic laws, especially in pedestrian-heavy areas. It may cause you to spend more time crawling in traffic, but that beats accidentally killing someone and being found at fault for it.
Update Your Car
Newer cars have safety features that even the best older car does not. With so many automatic options available in these cars, you have a much better chance of avoiding accidents that would not have been avoidable years ago. If you have the means and the opportunity, update your car. The typical car on the road in the United States is 11.5 years old. This is a record high age for vehicles, which can make the streets safer. By trading in your old car for a new one, you’ll be able to make pedestrian safety in Rochester easier to achieve.
Never Drive Under the Influence
No matter what kinds of features your car has, you need to be alert and actively watch your surroundings as you drive. You should never drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances. They can affect your judgment, as well as your ability to make changes fast enough to avoid hitting somebody. Driving under the influence is a crime in Rochester, as well as many other communities. So make sure that you plan if you’re going to be drinking or using drugs.
Pedestrian safety is an essential part of being a safe driver. You’re controlling an enormous vehicle that can severely injure or kill anybody that it strikes. As a driver, you need to understand the responsibility you have. So keep these things in mind as you consider pedestrian safety.
