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Driving on modern roads has become incredibly dangerous.
We’ve reached the stage where our system is overcrowded thanks to too many
cards. So, it should come as no surprise the US reported thousands of serious
incidents during the last twelve months. With that in mind, we wanted to find
out about some of the biggest hazards faced by motorists today. Hopefully, the
information should help to shed some light on the situation and set the record
straight. People who’ve been driving for years should read this post to refresh
their memories. Anyone who plans to pass their test during the next few months
should give it some attention too. Our roads are still pretty safe compared to
those in some other countries. However, drivers need to make sure they’re aware
of the following dangers.
Speeding motorists
There is no getting away from the fact that other drivers
are the primary cause of accidents on our road system today. Regardless of the
quality of your driving skills, other people are often the most significant
source of concern. The law experts at http://BrownAndCrouppen.com say claims against
other motorists have skyrocketed. That is because more people now realize they
can take the other party to court. However, speed limits are there for a
reason, and anyone who breaks them will put lives at risk. All you can do is
make sure you don’t fall into that category. Even if you’re running late or
there’s an emergency, you still need to watch your speed if you want to stay
safe.
Animals
Depending on where you live in the world, animals could
become a serious issue on the roads. Those who drive in the countryside should
apply more caution that most. We’ve all seen those news stories about motorists crashing into herds of sheep or
cows. We’re also more than aware of the dangers drivers face when horses break
out of their paddocks. In the United States, there are 725,000 to 1.5million
wildlife-related vehicle accidents every year. It would be nice if we could
teach those animals road safety, but that’s probably not going to happen. So,
it’s up to car owners to keep their eyes peeled and drive safely.
Interestingly, those figures don’t include people who swerved to miss and
animal and ended up hitting something else.
Distracted drivers
Research shows that distracted drivers cause around 3,300
deaths on US roads every year. Most of them weren't concentrating due to cell
phones, the radio, alcohol, and noisy passengers. In the UK, motorists are
banned from using the telephone while driving for that very reason. With a bit
of luck, the US will adopt the same legal approach in the future. The only
issue is that some insurance policies might become void if you’re
convicted. So, you’ll have to cover any costs associated with an accident.
Distracted drivers often take their eyes off the road and their hands off the
wheel. That is perhaps one of the most irresponsible things anyone can do while
in charge of a motor vehicle. People who want to stay safe should make sure
they keep the radio turned down low. Don’t answer your phone, and keep
passenger conversations to a minimum.
Poor weather
conditions
The US has one of the most diverse weather systems in the
world. That is because the country spreads over such a large area. Some
residents will experience ice and snow every year, but others will only see the
sunshine. That becomes an issue when motorists travel to other locations and
don’t have the skills to drive safely. It says at https://Weather.com that motorists should
always check their internal forecasts before driving. Snow, rain, and ice can
make the road conditions treacherous. Drivers are reminded that slowing down
and keeping their distance is the best course of action. Stopping distances
could increase by more than 80% in the worst of circumstances. There are also
specialist products people can purchase to make their cars more stable. For
instance, wrapping chains around the wheels should help to provide more grip.
Pedestrians
The number of pedestrian deaths has more than doubled since
the introduction of cell phones. People seem to walk along the road like
zombies when they’re sending text messages. It wouldn’t make too much
difference if they stayed on the path, but that isn’t happening. Drivers have
to remain on alert at all times due to the dangers posed by those on foot. At
any time, a pedestrian could walk out into the middle of the road without
noticing your oncoming vehicle. If you crash into the person, you’re probably
going to cause severe injuries. Will the pedestal face the full force of the
law? Of course not! Drivers will always end up in court because the authorities
will say they weren’t using due care and attention.
Dodgy road surfaces
Sometimes crashes happen because roads aren’t maintained
properly. We all know how frustrating it can become when you hit potholes and uneven surfaces. Indeed, most
people pay a road tax to fund the essential repairs. However, local authorities
and government bodies are notoriously bad and meeting standards. That is why
experts say that more than 50% of all US roads are in need of repair. Drivers
who want to stay safe should try to remember where the worst areas are along
their route. Slow down when you’re approaching patches of road that need work,
and always report potholes to the right people. The worst thing about dodgy
road surfaces is they can damage your shocks and alignment. That could cost
thousands of dollars to fix at the garage.
Unsecured loads
Everyone should understand the importance of securing their loads properly. However,
roadway debris is said to cause around 450 deaths each year. Most of those
incidents happen when truck and van drivers fail to tie their load down. It
then becomes loose, and the vehicle drops it all on the road. Approaching
motorists have to swerve, and that’s when accidents occur. Of course, sometimes
drivers are unlucky, and the items smash straight through their windscreen.
There are guides online for anyone who doesn’t know how to secure their loads,
so there’s no excuse for getting it wrong. The basic rule of thumb is that you
should leave the items at home if you are unsure. At the end of the day, you’re
responsible for any products transported with your vehicle. So, you will face
the full force of the law if you fail to secure them.
Tire blowouts
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Thankfully, tire blowouts don’t happen too often. However,
they can become incredibly dangerous if they occur at high speeds. You know
what it’s like - you’re travelling to a big game, and you hear a bang come from
the back of your vehicle. It’s sensible to slow down straight away before
stopping and taking a look. In most instances, you will have to call a recovery
company because blowouts can cause a lot of damage. Even so,
some drivers manage to change their tire at the side of the road and continue
their journeys. In the most severe or
cases, tires fly off the vehicle as soon as they burst. That means it’s
possible for them to cause other motorists to crash. The only way to reduce the
chances of that happening involves checking your tires regularly. When the
tread seems too worn, you need to purchase replacements.
Moving toddlers
The law states that people under a certain height should sit in a car seat. That is why most parents
spend hundreds of dollars buying one for their child. Believe it or not, kids
who refuse to sit still cause many accidents every year. They slide out of the
seat and start to mess around. That encourages their parents to take their eyes
off the road. Nobody wants to have a smash when their kids are in the car. So,
make sure you buy extra harnesses and strap your child so tight they can’t get
out without assistance. Also, keep some books or games in the car, so they’re
always entertained. In most instances, they’ll only leave the seat because
they’re feeling bored.
Now you’ve read that information, staying safe on the roads
should become much easier. There are a few other hazards you might like to
consider, but we’ve covered all the most frequent issues already. Tiredness
isn’t going to help you to avoid accidents when travelling along US roads.
Experts recommend all drivers should take a break from sitting behind the wheel
for more than four hours. They also say nobody should remain on the streets for
more than eight hours during a twenty-four hour period. So, people who drive
long distances should take more care when planning their routes. Make sure
there is always somewhere you can stop and get a coffee after hours in the
driving seat.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that driving alcohol is the
worst thing a driver can do. Not only will you find yourself on the wrong side
of the law, but you will also put lives at risk. Don’t make the mistake of
thinking you can drink a couple of cans and get away with it. When all’s said
and done, that is one of the most irresponsible actions taken by motorists
today - and we want to stamp it out!