01 December

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How can I recognize a drunk driver?

Drunk drivers are a plague on American roads. Everybody needs to do their part to make sure that we keep drunk drivers off the road as much as possible. You can help by recognizing intoxicated drivers on sight and reporting them. Drunk drivers tend to behave in specific ways when on the roads. While not all of the signs 100% guarantee that a driver is drunk, recognizing many of them means that the chance is high. According to MADD, you should recognize the signs and know what to do to report drunk drivers when you see them. The general signs Drunk drivers will...

05 October

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How can I stop somebody from driving drunk?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in blog, car accidents

Everybody makes poor decisions at points, and it is very likely they will make poor decisions while drunk. One of the worst decisions a person can make is to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Not only can this have severe legal repercussions, but it may also end up killing an innocent person. If you have a friend or family member who is reaching for the keys while intoxicated, it is vital that you take action. However, you must have a plan. According to MADD, if you wish to stop somebody from driving while drunk, you must be non-confrontational and willing...

11 June

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3 ways to set a good example behind the wheel for your teenager

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Your teens may pick up a variety of driving habits from a number of places, including driving classes, their friends and even from television and movies they see, but did you know that the majority of their driving practices come from you, their parent? According to GEICO, teenagers spend most of their time in cars with parents and caregivers, which forms their habits when they begin to drive as well. While you may have concerns about your teenagers’ behavior when they do get behind the wheel, you can set a good example and reduce the risk of a serious accident by...

29 March

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Your next steps after a crash with a distracted driver

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

You carefully comply with all traffic laws and you have the right-of-way, but a distracted driver crashes into you and causes bodily harm and property damage. While all car accidents create stress and uncertainty, the frustration of dealing with something entirely preventable may debilitate your life. Knowing how to respond in a tense situation involving a distracted driver can help you protect your rights. You deserve compensation for having to endure trauma and damages at the hands of a negligent person. Get medical treatment Distracted driving can take on many forms including visual, manual and cognitive. According to the North Carolina Department of...

28 January

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What is the impact of distractions while driving?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Whether someone is talking to another person or using a handheld device, this distracted person can cause a crash in an instant. Driving requires your full attention. Knowing how these distractions can affect other drivers around you is important for you to stay safe on the road. Eyes off the road According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even a few seconds of glancing down or looking away from the road can shorten your reaction time. Drivers can miss many cues from other people, such as turn signals and brake lights. When a car does not stop in time for a stop...

14 December

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Does driving in the dark increase accident risk?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

As the sun sets earlier and the days become shorter, your schedule may require you to drive in the dark more often than usual. While you may be familiar with driving at night, doing so often comes with increased dangers and risks. Bright headlights, vision difficulties and nighttime distractions are just some of the issues caused by a lack of natural sunlight. Yet, there are steps you can take to increase your safety and minimize your risk of getting into a deadly car accident. Vision difficulties Not only is it harder for drivers to see in the dark, but the bright glare of...

28 October

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Is drowsy driving as dangerous as it seems?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

In recent years, more attention has come to the potential hazards related to drowsy driving. Experts across the board paint it as one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, which says a lot, given this category also includes the highly fatal act of operating mobile devices while driving. But is drowsy driving actually that dangerous? What about it makes it such a risk to drivers in the first place? Drowsiness vs. intoxication Sleep Foundation takes a look at the impact of drowsiness on overall driver safety, revealing important facts about this form of distracted driving. First, drowsiness actually has a similar...

15 September

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Do aggressive drivers pose a roadway threat?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Road rage – the feeling of anger or irritation that many drivers experience when on the road – serves as a common unifier among many drivers. In fact, a study by AAA reported that up to 80 percent of drivers admitted to experiencing road rage at some point. Unfortunately, some drivers take road rage too far and it leads to aggressive driving behaviors which can, in turn, increase the chances of crashes. Thus, it is important to note red flags of road rage when they appear and act accordingly. Signs of aggressive driving AAA Newsroom discusses the role aggressive drivers play in crashes,...

07 July

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Inattentional blindness vs. distracted driving

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

The lack of safety features and the protection of a frame mean motorcycle collisions with passenger cars and trucks in North Carolina often have devastating results. As a rider, even if you take precautions, it may not be enough. Expectation plays a role in what people see. According to Psychmechanics, attention is a limited resource, and inattentional blindness results when the brain focuses on only essential and relevant details to conserve resources. When the eyes see something the brain doesn’t expect, a person may lose critical information. Inattentional blindness Inattentional blindness, also called perceptual blindness, occurs when a person looks but doesn’t see, missing crucial...

01 June

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How can North Carolina drivers avoid distracted driving?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

No matter how long you have had your license, or how confident you are in your driving skills, you must still remain alert and aware behind the wheel. This entails avoiding distracted driving behaviors at all costs. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there are a number of distracted driving behaviors motorists can fall victim to. Avoiding these behaviors is your duty as a motorist, both for your safety and the safety of others. Do not text while driving Drivers in North Carolina are not permitted to text while operating a motor vehicle. Additionally, drivers under the age of 18 cannot...