When we consider the frequent use and sheer volume of traffic circulating on these two main roads, it comes as little surprise that they should be the routes touting the most incidents of accidents and personal injuries. Los Angeles boasts an overall population of 9.8 million people, and 3.8 million members of that populace are commuting on a daily basis. Statistically speaking, it's only natural then that the combinations of pedestrians, motor vehicles, traffic lights and negligence are bound to result in higher instances of fender benders, brain injuries and traumatic trucking accidents on Sepulveda and Wilshire than any of the city's other roads that remain less traveled.
Of course, this hardly suggests that the remaining streets of the city are any less dangerous. Cautious drivers and well maintained vehicles are the elements that make up a safe roadway. So regardless of whether you're traveling down Santa Monica, Sunset Boulevard or Alameda Street, danger on the roadways appears wherever negligent drivers navigate their vehicles.
This is why it is imperative for drivers to hone and implement their defensive driving skills, in order to avoid devastating accidents and disabling personal injuries. So, to assist in making both Sepulveda and Wilshire Boulevards safer, here are few defensive driving techniques that may help you avoid accidents and injuries:
- · Never rely on the driver ahead of you, when making navigational decisions – he or she may not even be paying attention to the signal changes, pedestrians or other drivers
- · Always, always, always use your directional signals for lane changes and turns – and always make certain that the directional signal has been turned off following a lane change or turn
- · Never assume that the driver of the vehicle next to you, behind you or even ahead of you is aware of your presence, and keep a mindful eye upon them in your peripheral field of vision
- · Always leave your phone in the seat, in the glove box or safely tucked away while driving, a split second distraction can truly result in a lifetime's worth of consequences
- · Never stop scanning the roadway for debris, trash or pot holes, and, when you spot a dangerous object in the road, always take note of its location and call the police or highway safety patrol to make them aware of the potential hazard – never make any attempts to remove the flotsam and jetsam on your own
These are just a few of the measures that can be taken to contribute to the cause of greater safety on the busy streets of Los Angeles. As always, be sure to wear your seatbelt, and, for you motorcyclists, be sure to wear your helmets and safety gear. And, if you should ever happen to find yourself involved in an auto accident, contact a personal injury attorney.