How to Prevent a Traffic Accident in Bellevue

Posted Friday, October 6, 2023 by Chris Thayer

Car crashes and traffic accidents occur all over King County, and Bellevue is no exception. During peak afternoon rush, between the hours of 3 pm and 5 pm, the city sees more than 40% of its total traffic volume.

Not every car incident is identical. If you have been injured in a Bellevue accident, an attorney can provide understanding to navigate the legal landscape.

*Bellevue’s Vision Zero Strategic Plan *Bellevue is a city with a mission to become a safer place to drive and live. Bellevue has a Vision Zero Initiative to prevent unnecessary traffic accidents. The vision was inspired by a similar plan in Sweden.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate serious injury crashes and traffic deaths by 2030.

*Causes of Traffic Accidents and Deaths in Bellevue*According to the Traffic Collision Data for Bellevue, from 2012 to 2021, 196 people were seriously injured in traffic collisions in Bellevue. During the same time frame, 24 were killed.

In 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission, more than 38,600 people were killed in crashes across the United States. The potential for saving lives is great, and Bellevue is committed to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injury collisions.

Bellevue city officials determined five behaviors that contributed to the majority of accidents. Distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, failing to yield to a pedestrian, and not granting right-of-way were the behaviors contributing to 67% of all severe and fatal injuries.

*Safe System Approach in Bellevue*Bellevue Safe System is a holistic approach that combines four pillars of safety with four supportive elements. The pillars are safe speeds, safe people, safe vehicles, and safe streets. The supportive elements include data, leadership, partnerships, and culture.

In Bellevue, the community is taking a holistic approach to ensure that serious injuries or fatalities do not define the city. Bellevue has developed a collision dashboard that allows for interactive searching to help determine locations of collisions over 10 years.

*Prevent an Accident With Safe Driving in Bellevue*To prevent traffic accidents in Bellevue, Washington, motorists can take these guidelines into daily practice.

Focused driving is the antidote to distracted driving. When operating a motor vehicle, give your full attention to driving. Stay off the phone, and avoid being distracted by other passengers. Safe driving behaviors include avoiding grooming, petting animals, or getting distracted by children. A single moment of attention away from the road can result in dangerous or deadly incidents.

Driving while sober is the antidote to impaired or drunk driving. If you’ve been drinking alcohol, let someone else go behind the wheel. This is not only smart, it can save your life and the lives of those around you.

Driving within the speed limits is the opposite of speeding. Staying at safe speeds may help you respond with agility if an unexpected obstacle is on the road or if road and weather conditions change suddenly.

*Talk to a Dedicated King County Personal Injury Attorney*If you have been involved in an accident, it can be extremely stressful to navigate all the legal and medical issues regarding your case. A personal injury attorney may be able to provide legal insights related to your injury.