When driving your car, you must always remain alert to danger as an accident can happen at any moment. However, a recent survey found that certain parts of the journey were more dangerous than others. One of those was the first three minutes you’re on the road.
The study by Dolphin Technologies found that 25% of all accidents occurred within the first 3 minutes after setting off. Why are the first 3 minutes so accident-prone? Because it takes you time to settle into your car and concentrate on driving.
Multitasking makes driving dangerous
Think about what you do next time you get into your car. Are you fully concentrated on the road the moment you set off? Or are you still in transition mode? Here are some things you might do in the first three minutes of your journey that increase the risk of a crash:
- You turn around to check the kids have put their seat belts on
- You turn the heating or air-con up or down
- You wriggle around in your seat to remove your house keys from your pocket
- You plug in your phone to charge
- You adjust the radio
- You finish the coffee you did not have time to drink in the house
Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this. Leave three minutes earlier and take time to set up your car and sort out your children before you start driving. That way, you can significantly reduce your risk of a crash.
If a distracted driver injures you in a collision, don’t be surprised if they had only been driving a few minutes before they hit you. The chances are high that they were not paying full attention to the road. Working with an experienced advocate can help you assert a claim for the maximum compensation you are owed.
