Road accidents are one of the biggest reasons for injuries and fatalities. When operating a vehicle on the road, drivers should be careful and obey traffic laws at any cost. Despite knowing the consequences of violating traffic rules, an increasing number of people are becoming careless and reckless.
There are certain driving rules that you must follow in order to be safe. Unfortunately, no matter how safe you drive, you could still get into an accident due to the fault of another party. You can control your driving, but not others. If another driver has injured you, speak to an Ontario injury lawyer today.
Driving rules in Ontario
- Do not enter the “No Entry” zone.
When you see a sign of “No Entry” on the road, drivers are prohibited from going into that area for some reason. You never know what is on that side of the road; it could be a dangerous pothole or road construction work. Regardless of whether you think the reason is dangerous or not, you should obey road signs.
Entering a prohibited zone increases the chances of an accident. These signs are placed for your safety. If you do not obey them, you may even experience hefty fines.
- Always wear a seatbelt.
You may be surprised to know that most people in Ontario do not wear a seatbelt when in reality, it can protect them from several injuries in case of an accident, even death. The first thing you should do when you step into your car is put on your seatbelt. Traffic police often ask drivers without seatbelts to pull up and charge fines.
- Follow traffic signals.
Traffic signals on crossroads, intersections, and zebra crossings are there for a reason. Whether walking or driving, you should follow the red, yellow, and green lights accordingly. If the light is red, no matter how late you may be for work or school, you should stop your vehicle and only move when the signal turns green. Remember that it is better to be late than never reaching your destination at all.
- Avoid distractions.
Distracting activities like texting, calling, eating, reading, putting on makeup, etc., can cause cognitive, manual, and visual distractions. This is extremely dangerous for the person driving, as well as other drivers on the road. When driving, you must keep your mind and eyes only on the road and avoid other activities. It is recommended to put your phone on “DND” mode until you reach your destination. Some calls and text-backs can wait.