This month, we are providing tips to avoid accidents caused by distractions and drowsy driving, along with our recommendation to install a dashcam to save you from fraud in the event of an accident that was not your fault.
Driver Distractions: The #1 Cause of Traffic Accidents
Distractions are a normal part of every work shift. When you climb inside your vehicle, and before you begin driving, start managing potential distractions. This will increase your level of concentration and productivity and greatly improve your chance of survival in an accident.
- Distractions outside your vehicle include other vehicles/drivers, pedestrians, messengers/delivery people, traffic, road conditions, construction sites, weather, sun glare and people soliciting at traffic signals and stop signs.
- Distractions inside your vehicle include dispatchers, GPS, music/news, coffee, cigarettes, food, passengers, filling out vouchers/receipts and cell phones.
- It is important to note that cell phone use has become the biggest cause of motor vehicle accidents worldwide. The laws pertaining to cell phone use are much more restrictive for TLC-licensed drivers than the general public. If you must use a cell phone, pull off the road and into a safe area. Tell frequent callers to call you at home. Let them know your concentration while driving is essential to the safety of you and your passengers. Even talking “hands free” can be dangerously distracting, if the call upsets you or gets you excited.
Driving While Drowsy
Experts estimate that drowsy driving leads to at least 100,000 crashes each year in the U.S., resulting in roughly 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries. Those numbers are likely even higher, since it can be difficult to know if fatigue played a role in a crash. Driving while drowsy can lead to the same types of catastrophic accidents as driving while intoxicated.
- Always try to get a good night’s sleep.
- Set a regular work schedule and do your best to adhere to it.
- Learn to recognize fatigue. Irritability, anxiety, heavy eyelids and general feelings of exhaustion are common symptoms.
- If stopping for a red light feels longer than usual, it may be an indication you need a break from driving.
- Make a mental note of all highway rest areas where you will be driving.
- If you are tired, try taking a short nap. If you are not refreshed after the nap, it is time to end your shift.
- If you decide to nap, choose a well-lit area – preferably in front of a building or hotel with a doorman. If you bring the doorman a cup of coffee, perhaps they will watch over you to make sure you are safe. Never nap in a deserted or isolated area… you may become an easy target for criminals.
- Never nap with the engine on and the windows closed.
- Do not accept a radio dispatched call or a street hail if you are drowsy and heading home at the end of a shift. Tomorrow is another day.
Dashcams: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Dash-mounted cameras can be valuable tools for protecting TLC-licensed drivers from insurance fraud. They record video and the audio of an accident or incident.
- Make sure your microphone is set to ON. If you are involved in an accident, it’s wise to read the license plate of the vehicle that struck you out loud, so the mic picks it up, just in case the video quality is grainy or blurry.
- Start each work shift with a check confirming your dash camera is fully operational. Throughout the day, periodically check that both video and audio are functioning properly.
- If you are involved in an incident, make sure you save the video. Some incidents – like short stops, getting cut off or when a pedestrian claims they were struck when they were not – can be problematic if you don’t have a recording of the incident.
- If you are the victim of a hit and run accident, DO NOT chase the fleeing vehicle. This can lead to a second accident, putting you, your passengers and the public at risk. The driver in the fleeing vehicle may also be operating under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances that could make them violent or aggressive.
