Car crashes, auto-pedestrian accidents, and speeding tickets have been on the rise in College Station, and we at Paradowski Law want to make sure you stay informed and safe while on the road. In this blog post, we'll talk a little bit about why these incidents have been increasing, and what you can do to hopefully avoid any accidents and keep the roads safe.
Continuing Growth and Construction
In a recent study by the College Station Fire Department, it was shown that auto-pedestrian accidents have increased by over 400% within the past five years. Additionally, CSPD has reported an increase in the number of crashes and speeding tickets, particularly on Highway 6. While there is no single cause for either of these phenomena, the continual growth of Bryan/College Station and Texas A&M, along with ongoing construction projects in the area, are certainly driving factors.
It was noted that most auto-pedestrian incidents occur near the University, with particular hot spots being on Texas Avenue and University Drive. Many of these accidents involve scooters and e-bikes as more and more students turn to them as a quick means of transportation in and around campus. Furthermore, with the ongoing Big 6 construction project affecting speed limits and traffic on Highway 6, there has been an increase in aggressive driving along the highway, leading to more accidents and speeding tickets.
How to Stay Safe
With all this being said, here are a few things you can do to help ensure that you get to your destination safely and help make the roads safer for everyone:
Be patient. While it can be tempting to drive aggressively in order to get to your destination quicker, especially when running late or after a long day, it is always better to drive defensively and take your time getting to where you need to go. Limiting aggressive driving behavior not only keeps you safe, but keeps others safe as well.
Be aware. While it can be a lot at times, it is important to be as aware as possible of all the different construction and high traffic areas you may encounter on your route. This may mean planning your drive beforehand to avoid these areas as much as possible, leaving slightly early to account for delays, or at the very least keeping an eye out for changing speed limits, the presence of construction workers, and traffic (pedestrian or otherwise) that may not be aware of you or their environment.
Be distraction-free. It is extremely important that you try to limit your distractions while driving as much as possible. Avoid using headphones or earbuds while driving, and make sure any directions or GPS is set up before you get on the road. Finally, remember that the city of College Station has a hands-free mobile device ordinance, prohibiting the use of cell phones on public roadways while driving or cycling.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of safe driving practices, but if you follow these principles to the best of your ability, you can help ensure you and those around you get to where you need to be. If you have any questions or were involved in an accident, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
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