You should always be careful when you drive – but you should know that extra dangers lurk when you drive through intersections. Why are intersections so dangerous, and what can you do to prevent accidents in these spots?
Why Are Intersections So Dangerous?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 50% of all accidents happen close to intersections. It’s really no wonder; there is so much going on at an intersection, and so much a driver has to pay attention to all at once. Besides watching the light and judging if you have time to go before it turns yellow, you also have to be on high alert for:
- Drivers running red lights or stop signs even when you have the right of way
- Pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Drivers turning without looking
- Drivers failing to yield to the right of way
- Emergency vehicles speeding through an intersection (and other drivers avoiding them)
Avoiding Accidents at Intersections
It is important take an extra bit of caution when going through an intersection. Make sure that you:
- Watch the other drivers. Never just assume a driver is going to stop at that four-way stop. Come to a full stop and make sure that they plan on doing so, too.
- Give yourself enough time. When we are running late, we tend to make more mistakes while driving – including rushing through yellow lights and stop signs.
- Limit distractions. Playing with the radio, eating, talking on the phone, or texting can take valuable seconds away from your time to react to a situation.
- Get out of the way of emergency vehicles. Get over to the side of the road as soon as you safely can and come to a complete stop.
There can be a lot to deal with if you’ve been in a car accident, and dealing with the other driver’s insurance company can be very stressful. If you feel like you are entitled to compensation, you need an experienced attorney to protect your rights and help you to get what you deserve. Contact Patrick D. Troxler, Esq., in Waldorf, Maryland. Call 301-709-7195 for a free consultation today.