Why People Rubberneck and Why It Is Dangerous
Rubbernecking is a word used to describe the act of people in cars, either drivers or passengers, craning their necks to see something unusual, such as an accident . While many people rubberneck with good intentions, such as wondering if they should report an incident or wanting to know if anyone is in need of help, it is also true that rubbernecking poses serious accident risks.
When navigating Florida’s busy highways and roads, you need to be focused on the task of driving. Avoiding distractions prevents auto crashes in the Sunshine State. If you were struck by a rubbernecking driver, talk to a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer about your damage recovery options.
Reasons for Rubbernecking and Accident Risks
Florida has an extensive road network that connects open rural highways to densely populated urban areas, and rubbernecking-related accidents can happen in any location for a range of reasons, including the following.
- People are curious. In many situations rubbernecking is simply because of innate human curiosity. When an accident or unusual event occurs, people are compelled to assess the situation.
- Motorists are concerned about safety. Some rubberneck to review the seriousness of an accident. They may want to be sure the affected individuals are receiving the help they need given the severity of the event.
- Traffic is slow moving. The behavior of rubbernecking itself can slow down traffic. Then, other drivers who do not have a choice but to slow down may find their eyes watering to take note of events outside of the car as well.
While the concept of distracted driving is well understood, people often associate it with looking at their mobile device or putting on makeup in the rear view mirror. While those are examples of dangerous driving behaviors, the reality is anything that diverts a driver’s attention from the road is risky. Drivers need to pay attention to safe driving and any distraction, including rubbernecking, can lead to auto crashes.
Ways to Prevent Rubbernecking
There are steps people can take to avoid collisions. For starters, when driving remember your primary focus should be on the road. You also want to leave enough space between your vehicle and the vehicles in front of you so that you have time to react should another driver suddenly slow down because they are rubbernecking.
Additionally, stick to the posted speed limits, especially on high-speed roads. If you need to report the accident or inform another of the incident, use hands-free devices to avoid taking your hands off the wheel or pull over somewhere safe before making the call. And if you are involved in a rubbernecking accident, have a conversation about recovery options with a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer.
Who was rubbernecking at the time of the vehicular crash? If you or someone you know is recovering from an injury due to a rubbernecking-related incident on a Florida road or highway, talk to the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez. Experienced lawyers are available to help you explore your legal options and seek appropriate compensation. Schedule your initial consultation today, call 561-660-9421.
