• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Keches Law Group is now the official law firm of The New England Patriots - Learn More

offical injury law firm of the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and Free Jacks

en_US English
en_US English es_ES Español pt_BR Português do Brasil
Free Confidential Consultation  (617) 898-0808

Keches Law Group

Workers' Compensation and Injury Lawyers

  • Home
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Class Actions
    • Employment Law
    • Social Security Disability
    • Accidental Disability Retirement
    • Insurance Disputes
  • Case Results
  • Client Reviews
  • About
    • News & Media
    • Careers
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • No Fee Policy
    • Keches Cares™ Giving
    • Scholarship Essay Contest
    • Attorney Referrals
  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • en_USEnglish
  • es_ESEspañol
  • pt_BRPortuguês do Brasil

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Class Actions
    • Employment Law
    • Social Security Disability
    • Accidental Disability Retirement
    • Insurance Disputes
  • Case Results
  • Client Reviews
  • About
    • News & Media
    • Careers
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • No Fee Policy
    • Keches Cares™ Giving
    • Scholarship Essay Contest
    • Attorney Referrals
  • Search
  • Contact Us

Call Now. We’re available 24/7.

Se habla español

(617) 898-0808

You are here: Home / News / Learn / 5 Motor Vehicle Safety Hazards You Might Not Know About

5 Motor Vehicle Safety Hazards You Might Not Know About

July 11, 2023 //  by Keches Law

With Americans logging more than 3.25 million miles behind the wheel each year, driving is an everyday part of life.  And while you’re probably already aware of the importance of motor vehicle safety, wearing a seatbelt and the dangers of impaired driving, did you know that there are other hazards you might be subjecting yourself to while traveling in a vehicle? 

From hair accessories to footwear, read on to learn about some of these lesser-known motor vehicle safety risks and steps you can take to keep yourself and your passengers safe. 

1. AVOID CLAW CLIPS AND OTHER PLASTIC HAIR ACCESSORIES

Claw clips are a popular hair accessory that rose to popularity in the 1990s but have reemerged as regular accessories over the past few years. They get their name from the two rows of teeth on either side of a clamp that together form a “claw.” But wearing them may not be the best way to insure safe driving.

After numerous accidents drove claw clips into the back of the head of the driver wearing them, videos warning of the danger of wearing claw clips while driving circulated on TikTok.

https://www.tiktok.com/@emmairakoze/video/7216651945769995566

The danger isn’t limited to claw clips either. Any other hard or large hair accessory or having sunglasses balanced on the top of your head. 

@rebeccanicolestar

We are canceling these while in the car.. stay safe out there my claw clip baddies! #clawclip

♬ Goo Goo Muck – The Cramps

2. KEEP YOUR SHOES ON WHILE DRIVING

 Are you currently thinking, “Wait, isn’t it illegal to drive barefoot?” The belief that driving without wearing shoes is against the law is a common urban myth that’s persisted for decades, but driving without shoes has actually never been illegal in Massachusetts (or any other U.S. state for that matter). Even though it isn’t illegal to drive barefoot, it is still considered dangerous and isn’t ideal for motor vehicle safety. Driving without anything on your feet can feel strange and can lead to issues—if your feet are wet they can slip off the pedal and the pressure applied by a shoe is different than by a bare foot. 

“It requires you to put more pressure on the pedals than you usually do when wearing shoes, says Laura Adams, a safety and education analyst at DriversEd.com. “That could affect your braking time, putting you at risk.” 

3. SECURE METAL DRINKING CONTAINERS

Reusable water bottles do a lot of good for the world; they reduce the use of plastic and serve as friendly reminders to drink more water. But when placed loosely on a seat instead of being secured in a cupholder, stainless steel water bottles can easily become a dangerous projectile during a sudden stop or car accident. 

A vehicle moves with a lot of force. When a car comes to an abrupt stop, passengers continue moving forward but the seat belt holds them in place. The same logic applies to the loose items in the car; the heavier the item, the bigger the threat when it comes hurling through the car at high rates of speed.

California police officer Brent Miller learned this lesson the hard way when his SUV was struck, resulting in a cell phone hitting Miller’s 1-year-old son and cracking his skull. Fortunately the boy was OK after 10 days in intensive care. According to Sean Kane of Safety Research and Strategies, ordinary objects in cars and trucks are responsible for 13,000 injuries each year. 

4. LOCK YOUR DOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

Do you keep your doors locked or unlocked while you’re driving? There’s a common belief that it’s best to keep the doors unlocked to ensure first responders can get to you quickly if you’re in an accident. Unfortunately, this well-intentioned motor vehicle safety practice is actually pretty dangerous.

Keeping the door locked while you’re driving reduces the chance of the door accidentally opening in the case of a crash, keeping you and your passengers from being ejected from the vehicle. Research is clear that the risk of dying or suffering serious injury in a car crash is significantly higher when the passenger is ejected from the vehicle. The door also serves as a protective barrier from trees, telephone poles, debris, or any structures your car might slide into during a crash.

The door is also a key part of your vehicle’s structural integrity, holding up the roof and keeping the body of the car from twisting. In the event of a rollover crash, a locked door could prevent the roof from collapsing and causing further serious injury.

>> BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRAFFIC, ACCIDENTS 

5. HANDS-FREE DOESN’T MEAN DISTRACTION-FREE

As of Feb. 23, 2020, it became law in Massachusetts that drivers aren’t allowed to use electronic devices like cell phones unless they’re in hands-free mode. The ‘Hands-Free’ law was created to cut down on distracted driving. But does device-free equal distraction-free? 

In a recent article, Dr. David Stayer, found that hands-free technology doesn’t stop you from being distracted on the road. Between 25-58% of car accidents are caused by driver inattention. Strayer finds touch screens, talking to Siri, or carrying on conversations that aren’t in person are all more distracting than listening to music or having an in-person conversation. 

What appears to be a woman drives a car with a phone hooked up so as to be hands-free.

According to a study from the University of Utah and AAA, hands-free technology use cause distractions for up to 27 seconds after giving a voice command.  

>> HOW BYCICLISTS AND DRIVERS CAN AVOID ACCIDENTS 

WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED HELP

Drivers surveyed by U.S. News and World Report admit to many bad habits on the road. More than half admit they speed, 64% said they have experienced road rage, and 31% say they have driven while tired. 

While everyone could do better when driving, it is making the little improvements that help make the road safer for everyone. Hopefully these tips help you practice better motor vehicle safety!

If you have been injured in a car accident, or are in an insurance dispute, let Keches Law Group help you. 

Category: Learn, NewsTag: Car Accident, car accidents, Car Crash, Driver Safety, kECHES lAW gROUP, Motor Vehicle Accident, Motor Vehicle Safety, MVA, personal injury, Road Safety

Looking for help? or just have a question?

Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation today. It won’t cost a thing and it’s 100% confidential.

Call, chat or email us today.

Contact Us

Previous Post: «Fireworks display at night over the Boston Harbor Light Up The Night: Fireworks Safety Guide
Next Post: Managing Migraine: Pain Relief Strategies and Legal Options A woman sits on the couch holding her head in pain.»

Primary Sidebar

Free Case Evaluation

Call 617-898-0808 for immediate help or fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Secure Form

[brb_collection id="2306"]

Footer

About Us
Keches Cares™
Careers
Diversity & Inclusion
Scholarship
Attorney Referrals
No Fee Policy

Recent Blog Posts:

  • Gallery: Salute To Nurses 2025
  • Keches Law Group Proudly Sponsors Boston Globe’s “Salute To Nurses” Celebration
  • We Built This City – Celebrating the workers who keep New England going
  • Keches Law Group Celebrates Five Attorneys Listed Among Best Lawyers®

Contact Us

We are available 24/7 by phone

Se habla Español / Portugues
en_US English
en_US English es_ES Español pt_BR Português do Brasil


Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Saturday, Sunday and evening appointments available upon request.

We’re just a call or click away if you need help.

617-898-0808

Contact Us By Email →

Follow Us:


The Official Injury Law Firm of: official injury law firm

  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • ADA Notice
  • Blog
  • Press Releases

Site Footer

We serve all of MA, NH, RI, CT including the following locations: Bristol County including Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton; Norfolk County including Brookline, Dedham, Franklin, Milton, and Quincy; Worcester County including Fitchburg, Leominster, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and Worcester; Hampden County including Ludlow, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield; Middlesex County including Cambridge, Framingham, Lowell, and Medford; and Plymouth County including Brockton and Plymouth.

Attorney advertisement disclaimer: the information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Any information submitted through a form is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Copyright © 2025 Keches Law Group · All Rights Reserved

en_US English
en_US English
es_ES Español
pt_BR Português do Brasil