COVID 19 – A License to Speed?

One positive side effect of the COVID 19 lockdown is that fewer cars are on the roads, leading to fewer accidents and injuries. Unfortunately, some drivers have decided to take advantage of the newly emptied roadways as an opportunity to ignore safety regulations, such as speed limits. Travelers all over the country have reported more instances of reckless driving by drivers who seem to believe that they have been given a license to speed. Some localities have recognized the problem and are displaying signs warning drivers that less traffic does not turn every roadway into a raceway. Unfortunately, these warnings are often ignored. It is easy to become complacent when the roads are almost empty. You may feel that it is safe to drive a little faster, check your email, send texts, or engage in other risky behaviors that you would not consider trying in heavier traffic.

Empty roads do not, of course, mean that traffic laws have been suspended. If you are speeding, the lack of traffic will make you easier to spot by traffic enforcement officers and easier to track by radar. Even if you escape detection, high speed driving and distracted driving are still dangerous. Although your chances of hitting another vehicle may be reduced, the chance of serious injuries increases in a high-speed crash. High-speed driving also increases the risk of a single vehicle accident. You will have less time to react to debris in the road, for example. If you have to swerve or brake suddenly you are more likely to lose control of your vehicle if you are exceeding the posted speed limit.

As stay-at-home restrictions begin to ease and people get back into their normal routines, it is possible that a few drivers may keep some of the bad driving habits that they acquired during the lockdown. Avoid the temptation to speed and look out for others who believe an open road is an invitation to reckless behavior.

If you are unfortunate enough to encounter one of these drivers, the attorneys at O’Brien & Ford are here for you. You can call us any time, day or night, at 716-907-7777, and arrange a no-obligation, no-cost consultation. For more information about our firm and our staff, please visit our website here: https://obrienandford.com/.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Although we are working from alternate locations, we remain fully functional and look forward to helping you.