Rollovers Account For Over One Third of Traffic Fatalities

How Can Louisiana Drivers Avoid Deadly Rollover Crashes?

In a separate article on what makes vehicles roll over, we pointed out the distressing fact that, in 2009, out of 23,382 roadway accident fatalities, over 8,200 were due to rollover crashes.

The first advice we gave, echoed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is to buckle up, whether sitting in the front or in the back. Most victims of rollover crashes die as a result of being partially or completely thrown out of the vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of being killed by 75 percent.

The NHTSA gives further advice on how to reduce the risks of deadly rollover crashes:

• Make sure heavy items inside your vehicle are securely tightened, so they do not become projectiles during a rollover;
• Load your vehicle carefully, distributing the load evenly and avoiding as much as possible heavy loads on the roof. Check the maximum allowed loads of your vehicle and of the roof rack. If you are heavily loaded, your speed should be reduced correspondingly;
• Be especially alert on rural roads that are narrower and leave less room for error;
• Do not panic or overreact when your vehicle hits a pothole, road debris or drops off the pavement. Slow down before you try to correct the situation.

The common reasons why people lose control of their vehicles are well known, and have little to do with top-heavy loads or narrow roads. They are:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Driving while sleepy or distracted;
• Driving too fast for the road and vehicle conditions.

The New Orleans car accident attorneys of the Young Firm take your safety seriously. If you have been hurt in an accident caused by someone else, contact us for a FREE discussion of your case.