Annually, it is estimated that road traffic accidents claim the lives of approximately 1.3 million individuals, while causing injuries to another 20-50 million, often resulting in disabilities, as per the World Health Organization. High-speed expressways pose unique challenges, notably because they are shared by vehicles of varying sizes, including commercial trucks, leading to an increased likelihood of deadly accidents. However, the good news is that the majority of these incidents can be avoided if every road user diligently adheres to the traffic laws. Understanding the key distinctions between a collision and an accident and how to avert them is crucial for ensuring safety while navigating highways. For those aiming to enhance their road safety, here are vital tips every motorist must be aware of.
Be Cautious Of Speed Limits
Whether you’re driving a small vehicle or commercial truck, you must adhere to the posted speed limits on highways. Based on traffic authorities, speeding on roadways endangers everyone on the road. That’s because when you drive faster, you lose control over your car. As a result, you end up hitting other vehicles, pedestrians, or road infrastructure. Other consequences of speeding on highways include an increased degree of crash severity and injuries. Safety equipment in your car also becomes less effective, and you risk hefty penalties and court charges. So, make sure to stick to the speed limits and adjust to minimum speed when driving through ice, snow, and rain.
Keep A Safe Following Distance
Tailgating presents many dangers, especially when sharing roads with 18 wheeler trucks and buses. These large commercial vehicles have substantial blind spots, meaning if you can’t see the driver in the truck’s mirror, you’re not visible to them. With this in mind, maintain a safe following distance from any commercial vehicle in front of you.
Remember getting too close to semi-trucks can result in a fatal crash when they come to a quick stop or want to make a turn. Unlike other road accidents, collisions involving 18 wheeler trucks can result in serious injuries, death, expensive medical bills, and lost income. Not to mention, these accidents are legally complex, and victims have a hard time ensuring truck drivers are held accountable. If you’re involved in a crash with a semi-truck, you’ll want to seek the services of an 18 wheeler accident lawyer to proceed with your personal injury claim. These lawyers help clients collect evidence and prove the truck driver’s liability in an accident. That way, you can receive a fair amount of compensation for your injuries.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic collisions on highways. Therefore, avoid texting while driving because it makes you lose visual, cognitive, and manual focus, resulting in severe crashes. Other causes of distracted driving include eating, reaching out for things, interacting with navigation devices, and applying makeup. To enhance road safety, you should pay full attention to your driving environment.
Safe driving on highways starts with you, whether you’re driving a semi-truck or small-sized vehicle. As a golden rule, avoid speeding and distractions, such as eating, drinking, and interacting with navigational devices. Also, make sure you’re visible by maintaining a safe driving distance between the automobiles in front of you.
