Driving can be a dangerous activity, regardless of the distance or purpose of the trip. Hazards are present on the roads, posing potential risks to drivers.
If you know what to look for, you can avoid these hazards.
Traffic Congenstion
Traffic jams are one of the leading causes of car accients. While accidents in traffice are not always as deadly as head-on collisions they can still cause severe injuries. Most people tend to drop their guard in traffic due to it moving slowly. However, you should always stay alert and keep your distance between vehicles during a traffic jam. Doing so will protect both your vehicle and its occupants.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is another major cause of vehicle accidents. Various factors consitute reckless driving, such as:
Whilst these actions above are hazardous, it is not uncommon to encouter them on the road. If you see a reckless driver, try to create a safe distance away from them so you can study the road appropriately.
Faulty Traffic Lights
Traffic lights are there to keep drivers safe and to maintain a steady flow of traffic. Although, sometime these lights can be outdated and incredibly dangerous.
There is a protocol to follow when traffic lights stop working, bot no everyone remembers what they learned during their driving lessons. If you come across a set of faulty traffic lights, check to see if all drivers have stopped before continuing on your journey.
Careless Cyclists and Pedestrians
Although pedestrians and cyclists have the right to be on the road, they are not always cautious. Carelessness from cyclists and pedestrians can cause severe injuries and vehicle damage.
Drivers are responsible for detecting careles pedestrians and cyclists to avoid an accident. That means that you will need to be extra cautious. Always expect the unexpected and drive carefully near those on foot or bikes.
Children
Children do not have the same threat-deception capabilities as an adult. As a result, they can be more careless when near roads. Always be on the lookout for signs that indicate there are children nearby, especially schools.
Weather
Weather plays a significant role in how safe the roads are. Snow, rain and other forms of extreme climates can make driving a lot more dangerous. As a result, you should drive according to the weather.
Try to drive slower and always maintain a safe distance from other veicles if the roads are wet. Futhermore, always ensure that your windscreen wipers are on, giving you a clear view of the road/traffic ahead.
Driving in Snow - If you are driving in snow, it is important to take extra care. Drive as slowly and smoothly as possible ensuring that your vehicle retains its grip on the road.
Try not to accelerate or brake sharply, as this can lead to potential accidents. If you feel your vehicle sliding, steer into the slide to correct it. It is also important to make sure that you are leaving enough space between your vehicle and those in front of you. It is always better to allow too much space rather than not enough as this gives you more time to react to hazards.
Driving in Rain - In the colder and wetter months, there is an increased risk of aquaplaning. This occurs when your vehicle hits a body of water. If the tread on your tyres is unable to remove water from the road quickly enough, your vehicle will lose traction. As a result, you can lose the ability to steer or brake as your vehicle does not have enough contact with the road.
Tread depth has the direct impact on your chances of aquaplaning. Make sure you check your tread depth regularly and if you feel that your vehicle is aquaplaning, following these simple instructions:
Debris and Potholes
When you see a pothole or piece of debris on the road, it can be instinct to swerve out of the way. However, this can cause an accident, or try your best to manoeuvre out of the way slowly.
Remember to hold on tight to the steering wheel if you have no choice but to go over a pothole or piece of debris. Doing so will prevent you from losing control of your vehicle.
Animals in the Road
Being faced with an animal running into the road is a particularly difficult driving experience. When this happs, you need to ensure that you are aware of your surroudings before making any hasty descisions. The best thing to do is to apply your brakes and hold the steering wheel securely. Make sure that you do not swerve out of your lane as this could cause danger to other road users. With any luck, the animal will move out of your way once you have applied the brakes.
If there is another car close behind, by applying your brakes too quickly could result in an accident, again, this is where being aware of your surroundings comes in handy. In general, it is a good idea to drive carefully through area that are likely to be populated with wildlife, like stretches of woodland.
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