Spring is always a busy time in Ft. Lauderdale as thousands of students head to the city for spring break. With each school having a different schedule, there is almost a revolving door of students for weeks in South Florida. Even though Ft. Lauderdale officials are trying to enforce stricter rules this year, spring break can get chaotic – especially when it comes to drivers. Whether you live in Ft. Lauderdale or are visiting, please be careful on the roads and call an experienced auto accident attorney if you’re involved in a crash.
Drunk Drivers
Spring break is an alcohol-fueled event for many students. Even with plenty of ride-sharing options available, many young people still decide to try to drive after they had too much to drink. Often, there is the following combination of risk factors in cars packed with visiting students:
- Impaired drivers
- Loud music
- Other distractions
- Unfamiliarity with directions
- Inexperienced drivers
Drunk driving is dangerous enough on its own without adding in all the other common risk factors. For this reason, many accidents may happen on the crowded streets, including State Road A1A, along which many arrests are often made during spring break. Anyone visiting should remember there are many options to get around without drunk driving and residents may want to avoid the roads near the beaches and resorts whenever possible during this time.
Pedestrian Accidents
Drunk or careless drivers are not the only cause of traffic-related accidents over spring break, as pedestrian accidents are also common. Many spring breakers do not pay adequate attention when they are walking to the beach and they may cross in front of traffic and get hit. On the other hand, anyone else walking in Ft. Lauderdale runs the risk of being hit by a spring break visitor who may be distracted behind the wheel or unsure of yield requirements. Pedestrian accidents can be devastating for everyone involved and can be either the fault of the pedestrian or the driver.
Road Trip Risks
If you have plans to hit the road to Ft. Lauderdale or out of Ft. Lauderdale for a spring break trip, it is important to recognize safety risks and take steps to ensure you arrive at your destination without incident. The following are some things to keep in mind before and during a road trip:
- Get a tune-up. Road trips can always be hard on your car’s engine, tires, and other parts. It is important to have a professional inspect your car, top off fluids, and identify any possible risks before you get on the road. A sudden tire blowout or another malfunction can cause you to lose control and crash.
- Know where you’re going. Anytime you are traveling away from familiar territory can be risky. There is a chance you will miss an exit or a turn and you may slam on your brakes, speed up and slow down erratically, or make dangerous lane changes because you were unsure of where you were going. It is important to have the whole trip mapped out and pre-programmed into your GPS so you have clear directions without any unnecessary distractions.
- Stay organized. Road trips can be fun but they can also be disorderly. Having several friends packed into a car with bags, snacks, and other provisions can get messy quickly. If you have to search for a phone or for a bottle of water while you are driving, you can quickly become a dangerously distracted driver and put everyone at risk. Additionally, having passengers constantly moving around and searching for items can also be distracted. Organization in the car can increase focus on the road and overall safety.
These are only some of the many steps you can take to stay safe on road trips and while you are in Ft. Lauderdale. Spring break should be an enjoyable time and an unexpected accident and injuries can certainly disrupt anyone’s life. If you’re injured, you should know that you may have important legal rights.
Our Ft. Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer is Here to Help
There are risks of traffic accidents year-round in Ft. Lauderdale, however, these risks may substantially increase during spring break season. At the law office of Joseph LoRusso, we want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the season. However, if you do suffer injuries in any type of traffic accident, you need an experienced car accident attorney on your side to evaluate your legal rights and options. Please do not hesitate to call our office in Ft. Lauderdale at 954-715-3260 or contact us online to discuss your injuries for free today.
