An accident in October left one driver dead and seriously injured three passengers in the vehicle. Spokane County law enforcement reports that the accident occurred at the intersection of North Forker Road and East Forker Lane. Before medical care could be provided to the accident victims, Spokane emergency workers had to extricate the occupants from the vehicle. While the driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, the three passengers were seriously injured and transported to a nearby medical facility for care. 

Spokane law enforcement has said that they believe the driver was impaired and that speed played a role in the crash. Additionally, two of the four occupants of the vehicle were not wearing seatbelts.

While some drivers are aware they are speeding and do not care, other drivers are legitimately not aware that they are traveling well above the speed limit. Part of the reason this happens is that vehicles gradually increase speed while the driver is not paying attention. Experts agree that speeding often results in serious car crashes that include life-changing injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. Fortunately, there are some helpful tips that drivers can follow to avoid accidentally speeding.

Avoid Speeding Intentionally

Even if you are traveling in an unpopulated area or somewhere where you are sure you will not be detected by law enforcement, you should still avoid speeding. This is because speeding is a dangerous pattern and by getting in the habit of speeding, you begin to lose the instinct for what it feels like to travel at a regular speed. 

Eliminate Distractions in the Vehicle

Distractions while driving can take many forms including smartphone usage, fiddling with the radio, and talking with passengers in the vehicle. Each of these distractions can help divert your attention to how fast you are traveling. As a result, you should do your best to eliminate as many distractions as possible before getting behind the wheel.

Remain Wary of Highway Hypnosis

Highway hypnosis happens when a motorist drives for an extended period of time and stops focusing on their driving due to either fatigue or the repetitive landscape. If you drive while fatigued or are driving a long distance, you should make sure to take frequent breaks and remain alert so you can fully focus on your surroundings.

Use Cruise Control Appropriately 

Cruise control is a valuable feature with motor vehicles and allows drivers to set a specific speed and allow a vehicle to remain at this consistent speed without the need to adjust the gas or brakes. When traveling on the highway, cruise control helps motorists make sure that they do not go above the speed limit. Cruise control, however, should only be used with highway driving. While traveling on other types of roads, you should still adjust your speed manually.

Contact an Experienced Car Crash Attorney

If you or a loved one has been impacted by an accident involving speeding, it can be confusing to decide what to do next. One of the best steps that you can take in such a situation is to promptly contact an experienced accident attorney. Contact West Law Office today to schedule a free case evaluation.