Being a licensed driver is a privilege. With these privileges comes responsibilities. We should show courtesy to other drivers, be attentive and be vigilant to avoid accidents. Did you know that you have a responsibility to “Look Out” and to Avoid accidents? Yes you do! If you can safely avoid an accident, you should. It is commonly known as “duty of care.”
With duty of care, we must be proactive as much as possible as opposed to being only reactive in our actions while driving. This includes adjusting our speed if there is inclement weather or when we are in stop and go/heavy traffic we must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of us. We also must ensure that our vehicle is functioning properly mechanically wise, which includes having working brakes, tires, operational windshield wipers, headlights, taillights, signal lights, and brake lights among other mechanical necessities.
Duty of care is also inclusive of being an alert driver and avoiding distractions such as talking on the phone, texting, adjusting the radio station or eating while driving. If you fail to take necessary precautions you may have breached the “duty of care” and may be found liable for your actions or inactions if you are involved in a collision.
Each and every one of us who are licensed drivers has a responsibility to operate our automobiles in a safe, responsible, and reasonable manner. This includes paying attention to our surroundings, following the required speed limits, and maintaining control of our vehicle etc.
Some Common causes of car accidents are:
Texting and driving;
Driving under the influence;
Improper lane changes;
Following too closely;
Failure to maintain Lane;
Falling asleep at the wheel;
Speeding;
Driving too fast for conditions;
Failure to look out; and
Being a distracted driver etc.
There are laws that allow us the right of use of the roadway; however, those laws do not exempt licensed drivers from the responsibility or duty of care to prevent accidents from occurring. We all have a duty to avoid an accident if we can and should.
