Most Common Roadside Dangers: Highway Safety Guide

Driving on the highway can be dangerous. There were about 6.7 million accidents on the country’s highways in 2019.

Safe driving can lower the risk of an accident. There are several things you can do to promote highway safety.

You must learn about the common accidents that can occur on the highway and how to prevent them. Read this guide to learn about safety during highway travel.

Unsafe Driving Behavior

A driver’s behavior is one of the main factors that contributes to highway accidents. Yes, your driving behavior can affect your safety.

Distracted driving accounts for most accidents on the highway. Data shows that about eight people per day die in a car crash because of distracted driving.

Texting is one of the factors that cause car accidents. A driver who is texting while driving will not have the time to react if a car swerves in their direction. It takes their attention away from driving.

Eating while driving is another unsafe driving behavior. Using a GPS while driving can also cause an accident. These behaviors can cause a driver to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road. Similarly, driving under the influence (DUI) is dangerous. As mentioned on this website, DUI cases are more than 26 percent of all traffic deaths cases.

Texting can wait, but if it’s an emergency, you should get off the highway. Find the nearest exit and park at a gas station. You can use your phone in your parked car.

Not following road rules can increase the risk of an accident. Drive within the speed limit. In 2019, speeding was a factor in 26 percent of fatal accidents on the highway.

Always drive in the proper lane. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don’t drive if you feel drowsy or ill.

Drive with caution under bad weather. Rain or snow can obscure a driver’s vision. Don’t speed under these conditions.

Use Safety Devices

You can reduce your risk of injury in a car accident by using safety devices. Always drive with your seatbelt. A seatbelt can prevent an ejection and serious injury to the body.

Your car might have an electronic stability control system. This system can help prevent car accidents by controlling the brakes. Make sure to have this system on if your car has one.

What To Do if You Get In a Car Accident

If you’re involved in a car accident on the highway, do you know what you’ll need to do to remain safe? If you get in a car accident, you must first try to move your car to the emergency lane.

If it is possible to move your car, you must do it with caution. Turn on the hazard lights and proceed to the emergency lane. If you have emergency flares, place them behind your car to alert other drivers of an accident.

The emergency flares will alert drivers to reduce their speed and give you space. Next, call 911. If you need help moving your car, you can call a road ranger.

What To Do if There is a Car Accident on the Highway

As a responsible driver, you must focus on road safety. If you observe an accident, you must slow down. Don’t speed through one as it can lead to danger.

Your state might have a move over law. This law states that all motorists must move over if there are emergency personnel on the road. If there are police officers or ambulances, you must give them safe clearance.

This is one of the factors that lead to other car accidents. Not only do you put yourself at risk, but you put others at risk too. Plus, you want to avoid getting a big citation as the police can give you one if you violate this law.

Use Caution in Work Zones

Let’s face it. If you drive on the highway, chances are you’ll encounter construction zones. If you observe a construction zone, you must slow down.

If possible, you must move over to another lane. Speeding in a construction zone is dangerous. It doesn’t leave you any time to stop if a construction worker or equipment moves into your lane.

You must slow down or move over. Failure to do so can result in a hefty citation if a police officer stops you.

Dangers on the Roadway

Drivers must always be on the lookout on the highway. There can be hazards on the highway that can cause an accident. These hazards might not always be visible, so remain alert.

There might be potholes on the highway that can cause an accident. There might also be items that fall off a truck. Chances are you have seen big tree branches and old mattresses on the highway.

Drivers might not be aware of the dangers of chemical spills on the highway. If a tanker truck turns over on the highway, it can spill chemicals. These chemicals can cause oncoming drivers to lose control of their cars.

The same issue can arise after a garbage truck loses its load. If there’s this type of accident on the highway, you must try to avoid it.

Avoid the area until a chemical response team controls the area. Click here to learn more about how teams control chemical spills on the highway.

Practice Highway Safety

The best policy while driving on the highway is to practice highway safety. Different factors can lead to an accident on the highway. If you drive on the highway, you must drive with caution.

Apply these safety tips. It will help you make it home safe. Explore the rest of our blog to read more great articles!

*Featured image is licensed under the Adobe Stock Standard License.