Every year, people resolve to be safer drivers. Yet car accidents continue to injure thousands of people across Maryland, from busy highways like I-95 and the Capital Beltway to local roads in Silver Spring, Rockville, and Baltimore. Many of these crashes are preventable. They often occur because drivers rush, multitask, or underestimate how quickly conditions can change.
As we make our way through the first month of 2026, it's important to remember that safe driving isn't about being perfect. It is about awareness, patience, and responsibility. When drivers ignore these basics, other people pay the price. If you were injured by a careless driver, you already know how one bad decision can change everything.
Understanding what safer driving looks like today helps explain why certain crashes happen and why injured victims deserve accountability when they do. Our Maryland car accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan explain what to know.
Why do preventable car accidents still happen in Maryland?
Most serious crashes are not caused by mechanical failures or unavoidable events. They happen because a driver made a choice. Speeding through traffic, checking a phone, following too closely, or driving while tired all increase the risk of a collision.
Maryland’s roads demand constant attention. Congested corridors, aggressive merging, unpredictable weather, and heavy commuter traffic leave little room for error. When drivers treat driving casually, they put everyone else at risk.
Safe driving begins with recognizing that operating a vehicle is a serious responsibility, not a routine task.
What does safer driving look like in 2026?
Technology continues to evolve, but human behavior remains the biggest factor in crash prevention. Drivers who adopt safer habits reduce the risk of harming others.
Car Pro recently offered a wide range of safe driving tips for 2026. Some of the most important safe driving practices for 2026 include:
- Stay off your phone while driving – Even hands-free calls can divide attention and slow reaction time.
- Maintain a safe following distance – Tailgating is a leading cause of rear-end crashes on Maryland highways.
- Adjust speed for conditions – Rain, fog, construction zones, and traffic congestion all require slower speeds.
- Use turn signals early and consistently – Clear communication prevents sudden braking and side-impact collisions.
- Watch out for pedestrians – Share the road with people crossing the street or walking alongside the road.
- Remain alert at intersections – Many serious crashes happen when drivers rush through lights or fail to yield.
- Obey all traffic signals – This is especially true at red lights and stop signs. Don’t ignore these signs. Obey them.
- Slow down in work zones – Many serious and fatal car accidents occur in road construction work zones.
- Always drive sober – Drinking and driving remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in Maryland and nationwide.
- Take a break if you’re tired – Drowsy drivers often don’t slow down in time to avoid a collision.
These habits may seem basic, but ignoring them leads to serious injuries every day across Maryland.
How does distracted driving continue to cause serious injuries?
Distracted driving remains one of the most dangerous behaviors on Maryland roads. A driver does not need to be looking at a phone to be distracted. Eating, adjusting controls, talking to passengers, or letting the mind wander all reduce awareness.
At highway speeds, a few seconds of inattention can mean traveling the length of a football field without truly seeing the road. That is often all it takes for a rear-end crash, lane-departure collision, or pedestrian impact to occur.
Why is speeding still a major problem in Maryland?
Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the force of impact. Higher speeds make injuries more severe and crashes more likely to be fatal. This is especially true on major routes like I-270, Route 50, and I-495, where traffic conditions change quickly.
Safe driving in 2026 means recognizing that arriving a few minutes earlier is never worth someone else’s life.
How does aggressive driving increase crash risk?
Aggressive driving often builds slowly. A driver feels rushed, irritated, or impatient and begins weaving through traffic, braking suddenly, or following too closely. These behaviors create chain reactions that lead to multi-vehicle crashes.
When aggressive driving causes a crash, injured victims have the right to seek accountability for the harm they suffered.
Why is fatigue an overlooked danger?
Drowsy driving is often underestimated because it does not look reckless on the surface. A tired driver may drift within a lane, miss traffic signals, or react too slowly to sudden stops.
Long work hours, early commutes, and overnight shifts contribute to fatigue-related crashes across Maryland. Driving while exhausted can be just as dangerous as driving impaired. Safe drivers recognize their limits and avoid getting behind the wheel when they’re tired.
How can defensive driving reduce accident risk?
Defensive driving means anticipating others' mistakes and leaving room to respond safely. It involves scanning intersections, watching for sudden lane changes, and assuming that other drivers may not act predictably.
Drivers who leave extra space, slow down early, and stay alert are better positioned to avoid crashes caused by others. While defensive driving cannot prevent every collision, it reduces the severity and reaction time.
Why does safe driving matter for legal accountability?
Traffic laws and safety guidelines exist to protect people. When drivers break them, and someone is hurt, those violations can support an injury claim.
Evidence such as speeding, phone use, or failure to adjust for conditions helps establish responsibility. Safe driving standards provide a benchmark for what drivers should have done.
Understanding these principles helps injured people see why they have the right to pursue compensation.
Learn how a Maryland car accident lawyer can help you
After a crash caused by unsafe driving, insurance companies often try to minimize responsibility. They may downplay injuries, question medical care, or argue that the crash was unavoidable.
A Maryland car accident lawyer can investigate what really happened, gather evidence, and protect your rights. That includes reviewing crash reports, obtaining video footage, and documenting how the other driver failed to drive safely.
At Goldberg Finnegan, we understand how preventable crashes affect real people. Our case results prove this, including $4,975,000 obtained in one car accident case. If you were injured by another driver’s unsafe choices, contact us for a free case evaluation with a Maryland car accident attorney you can trust.
“I am absolutely astonished by Goldberg Finnegan! They are definitely very patient, will help with any questions you have... I am extremely satisfied with what I won for my case and highly recommend Goldberg Finnegan to anyone seeking a great Lawyer!!!” – Donte C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐