Top 5 Tips for When Driving in Heavy Traffic You Should…
With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, many will be traveling to visit their family members. If you live in the Whatcom County area, you may have family in Seattle or other high-traffic cities that you will need to pass through to get to your destination. Most people have dealt with many traffic jams in their lives. Even in Bellingham, a car accident can snarl the I-5 for hours. Heavy traffic is always frustrating and it can increase the risk of car accidents.
While heavy road congestion may not be as dangerous as drunk or distracted driving, it is a significant factor in traffic accidents when combined with unsafe driving behaviors. In 2014, a research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill estimated that one in every four fatal traffic accidents occurred during “rush hour” traffic. In addition, research from the NHTSA showed that the evening rush hour between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in many large urban cities was the most dangerous time of day as drivers rush home from work. Here are some tips when driving in heavy traffic you should do the following.
Top 5 Tips for When Driving in Heavy Traffic You Should…
Here are five tips for healthy driving behaviors in heavy traffic that can reduce your chances of being in a car accident:
- Accept that you will need to slow down. Heavy traffic forces drivers to slow down but some try to speed up any chance they get with the idea of “making up” time. Unfortunately, this is not a good strategy because obstacles can come out of nowhere when roads are congested and it isn’t likely to get you to your destination any faster anyway.
- Be extra careful to use your turn signals. When there are lots of cars around you, the chances of a collision are greater. A sudden, unexpected move increases this chance even more. Give plenty of warning before turning or changing lanes with a turn signal – at least 100-feet before you plan to make a move.
- Don’t weave in and out of cars. Apart from speeding up any chance they get, some drivers will weave in and out of traffic in an attempt to get through the traffic jam. In addition to the potential for an aggressive driving ticket, weaving in and out of traffic should be avoided because it increases the risk of a crash.
- Avoid distractions. Heavy traffic requires more attention on the road, regardless of how slowly the traffic is flowing. Avoid distractions like cell phones, eating in the car, or even lively conversations so you can keep your focus on the road.
- Use your defensive driving skills. Defensive driving is the practice of using safe driving strategies that enable motorists to address hazards in a well-informed, safe way; thereby reducing their risk of being in a car accident. Among other things, defensive driving means avoiding aggressive moves, getting out of the way of drivers who are driving aggressively, following the flow of traffic, and following all traffic laws.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!