4 Risky Situations You Should Look Out For When Driving Your Car

All of us play a significant role when it comes to road safety.

11:23 11 October 2020

It doesn’t matter whether we are part of the traffic system as pedestrians or drivers, it’s up to us to make sure all of the security measures are being acknowledged and respected. With more and more vehicles on the road, it seems like the risk of getting in a car accident has also increased.

 

The experienced drivers will tell you that many things affect the situation of the road. From the behavior of those sitting behind the wheel to weather conditions, even seemingly insignificant detail can lead to big disasters. That’s why it’s important to stay focused and pay attention each time to leave the home driveway.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the riskiest situations you might have to face as a driver.

 

1. Distracted Drivers

 

Every time you sit behind the wheel, you will have to face multiple distractions. This is nothing new and has been happening ever since humans started operating cars and other types of vehicles. However, being preoccupied with something else while driving can have serious and even deadly consequences sometimes.

 

Sometimes drivers’ attention is hijacked by something happening in the car or at the side of the road and they stop focusing on the task at hand. These distractions can be divided into several categories:

 

• Cognitive
  
  
• Visual
  
  
• Manual
  
  

Cognitive distractions are the most difficult to prevent. Usually, they are not instigated by any specific event. Simply, drivers get lost in their own thoughts. They are maybe facing some professional or personal issues and that will cause their mind to wonder.

 

Every time to take your eyes off road and pay attention to things happening on the sidewalk, you are at risk of missing a stopsign or a red light. You might think that a second or two are not a big deal, but it’s more than enough to miss something crucial happening in front of you and cause some kind of accident. So, try to stay blind to visual stimuli that are not important to your driving. 

 

Any distraction that will provoke you to remove your hands from the steering wheel is labeled as manual. Eating while driving or adjusting a seatbelt, among other things, are actions that can significantly reduce the control you have over your car. Also, they will delay your response in case you find yourself unexpectedly in a dangerous situation.

 

The appearance of mobile devices has significantly increased the level of distraction. The constant notification bell that keeps ringing will provoke us to take our eyes off-road. Also, texting while driving is a serious problem among younger drivers. The fact that they lack in experience also means that most of them will probably not have an appropriate reaction if something bad happens.

 

2. Breaking the Speed Limit

 

Most of the car-related accidents happen due to people not respecting the speed limit. This behavior is caused by several reasons. The statistics show that younger drivers (below the age of 29) have the tendency of pushing the pedal to the metal.

 

Also, some enjoy the thrill of operating a vehicle at fast speeds. People who are late to work or important appointments as well as those who are stuck in traffic jams for a long time, often try to make up for the lost time by driving the car faster than permitted.

 

You need to remember that once to take the wheel you are responsible not only for your life, but also for the lives of your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. By following the set rules when it comes to speed, you will greatly lower the risk of causing a severe accident and hurting yourself or someone else.

 

3. Pay Attention to Trucks

 

We don’t need to tell you that the average car has a little chance against a big semi truck. There is a significant difference in size andweight. The trucks also need more time to come to a complete stop so when the collision happens the consequences are generally devastating. As a semi truck accident lawyer with extensive experience in this part of the legal sphere says, there are multiple reasons behind these types of accidents such as scheduling pressure and unfamiliarity with the designed route. That’s why you need to keep your eyes open when you encounter these mechanical beasts.

 

One of the predominant reasons why drivers in the trucking industry find themselves involved in accidents is due to fatigue. They work long hours and often don’t get the sleep they need. Some studies claim that they only get about 4.8 hours of rest a day. This is simply not enough in the long run and can cause them to lose their focus while at the wheel and have slower reflexes.

 

To combat this problem and enhance the security, the government has enacted a law that regulates just how many hours the truckers can work in a week and when they need to take a break. However, many of them say thatregulations are producing them more stress as they sometimes cannot find suitable parking for a downtime.

 

4. Drinking and Driving

 

Although drinking and driving have significantly dropped in the last decade or so, it’s still a highly present form of behavior, especially among young drivers. The numerous public government campaigns have managed to put sense in the heads of many people but things can be much better.

 

Any amount of alcohol can seriously impact your ability to handle a car properly. It can impair your capacity to concentrate, make good decisions, or react to situations appropriately. Aside from slower reaction time, people under the influence can also have decreased vision and weakened eye, hand, and foot coordination. All these can lead to different kinds of injuries, including fatal ones.

 

You are not responsible for other people’s actions, but you should do everything in your power to prevent even the slightest possibility of getting in a car accident. Focus on the road ahead and on the other vehicles around you, abide by the speed limit and other regulations, and never put the keys in the ignition while drunk. Think of yourself and your loved ones and stay safe.