Surprisingly, New York City drivers are not the worst in the United States. That honor belongs to Washington, D.C., as judged by reported insurance claims from car accidents. Other cities that are among the most accident-prone include Philadelphia, Alexandria, V.A., Baltimore, Providence, R.I., Miami and San Francisco. New York City and Chicago are in the middle, in part because of the robust public transportation systems in those cities keep some vehicles off the streets.
- Give yourself lots of time so that backups, red lights, pedestrians and construction don’t slow you down and then cause you to speed up in order to get to your destination on time. Be alert for changing traffic conditions – listen to traffic reports on the radio or use a navigation system that displays traffic information and explore alternate routes to minimize delays.
- Plan your route ahead of time, especially if you are unfamiliar with where you are going. If you get lost, pull over and ask for directions rather than driving around hoping to stumble on your destination. That’s when accidents happen.
- If you are leaving the city, observe the speed limit. Watch for pedestrians who don’t feel compelled to use crosswalks – if there are crosswalks!
- Keep a safe distance from cars ahead of you – especially after large trucks
- Remember, there is no right turn on red in New York City. Don’t do it yourself, but do watch for visitors who may not know this law and make illegal right turns.
Even if you are the best driver in the world, an accident can change your life in an instant. If you become involved in one, first get medical treatment for your injuries. Then find out about your legal options. Depending on their severity, injuries from car accidents may cause you to miss work and spend money on medical care and treatment. If your injuries were catastrophic, you may be unable to ever work again, causing your family significant financial hardship. You may be able to do something about it with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Source: The Sentinel, “Who Are the Safest Drivers in the U.S.?” n.d.