NATIONAL COURTESY MONTH: RESPECT ON THE ROAD

September is National Courtesy Month.

In Arkansas, we pride ourselves on our southern hospitality. For the month of September, the Taylor King Law team hopes to be even more courteous and respectful to our friends and neighbors.

One area where it’s easy to practice showing consideration to others? The road, of course! We’ve rounded up the best tips to ensure that you’ll be prepared to dish out an extra dose of kindness on your morning commute.

Read on to learn how you can observe National Courtesy Month while driving down the road.

Observing National Courtesy Month

1. Don’t Be a Litterbug (Even by Accident)!

   Of course, you should never throw trash on the ground, whether you’re sitting in a parking lot or driving down the interstate. However, people often litter without realizing it when trash or debris from the back of a truck or car flies out onto the road. Be sure to secure any trash bags, boxes, or other objects in the bed of a truck, and keep windows rolled up if you have unsecured items in your car. If you have a flat tire, be sure not to leave any evidence behind; it’s illegal to leave old tires or other tools by the side of the road in Arkansas.

2. Yield When Needed.

   Arkansas has quite a few laws that determine when drivers should yield, and to whom. You can read these traffic laws for yourself in the 2016 Arkansas Code via Justia, but we’ll share two tried-and-true rules.
   1) Always yield the right of way to pedestrians. Pedestrians should cross the road at traffic lights and crosswalks. Even if they cross in another area, though, drivers are still required to yield. The law requires drivers to avoid a collision if at all possible.
   2) Yield any time that failure to do so would cause an accident. If another driver fails to observe a stop sign or yield sign, and you’re able to yield and avoid the collision, you must do so.

3. Move Over and Stop for Emergency Vehicles.

   Have you noticed that some drivers pull over the side of the road and stop when they see an emergency vehicle, like an ambulance or police car with its sirens blaring, approaching? They’re actually following Arkansas law. An article in the Arkansas Code states as much:

   “Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.”

   Of course, the emergency vehicle driver should drive responsibly and take precautions.

4. Stop for Frightened Horses (Yes, Really).

   The following statute appears in Arkansas Code: If a horse being ridden or driven down any street, road, or highway appears frightened by an approaching motor vehicle, “it shall be the duty of the person driving or conducting the motor vehicle to cause it to come to a full stop until the horse shall have passed and, if necessary, assist in preventing an accident.”

On Your Side, By Your Side

At Taylor King Law, we seek to treat each client as our friend and neighbor. That’s part of our promise to be On Your Side, By Your Side. Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident, motorcycle wreck, or big truck collision? You may have legal rights to compensation. This can help you pay your medical bills, property damage, and get back on your feet. Taylor King offers a free consultation to everyone who calls or submits an online case form. Call 870.246.0505 today to learn how we can help you get the settlement you deserve.