Intersections are dangerous and car accidents are common at them. The US Federal Highway Administration says that more than 50% of all fatal and injury accidents occur at or near intersections.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to avoid an accident at an intersection, the best you can do is practice safe driving and try to anticipate mistakes or dangerous maneuvers others may make.
Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of a car accident at an intersection:
Defensive driving
Defensive driving is driving with the assumption that other people on the road could, at any time, do something dangerous, you will often find it to be true.!
As such, when approaching an intersection stop, never expect anyone else on the road to behave, always assume when approaching an intersection that traffic or pedestrians may not obey traffic control devices or give right of way as advised by Markel Insurance.
A good example of this is that people will often try to run a red light, or ignore a stop sign altogether, if traffic is still approaching the intersection.
So wait and see what they do before you proceed. Also, never assume that cross traffic will slow down when you turn left in front of it. Only perform maneuvers such as left turns when you know it is completely safe..
Leave enough space for the vehicle in front of you
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of intersection accident, says traffic safety solutions provider TAPCOMany of these accidents occur when a line of vehicles is turning right and the vehicle in front must stop or slow down to yield to the others..
Rear-end accidents also occur when a vehicle fails to stop in time for a new red light. Pay attention to light changes and brake lights ahead and slow down before stopping..
Also, when stopping, leave enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you so that you can see the curb below their tires. You can’t control whether someone might be behind you, but leaving space reduces the risk of crashing into the vehicle in front of you—a collision you could be at fault for. In it because you were so close.
Do not change lanes in the middle of the intersection
As a general rule, you should never change lanes until you have completely cleared the intersection, wait for the lane markings to reappear, and then check your surroundings before maneuvering.
Traffic may be tight or trying to maneuver around vehicles at the same time as you, which may result in side lane collisions. Lane changes in the middle of an intersection are illegal in some cities and states.
Approach the intersection with caution
Your eyes should scan the entire road as you approach an intersection, check every possible entry and exit point several times before proceeding, and watch out for sudden traffic..
Also, never run a red light and slow down at yellow lights instead of running ahead.
Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists
Especially when turning right or left It can be difficult to spot pedestrians, cyclists and other small hazards at the intersection, especially if you are moving at high speed Take time to examine your entire surroundings and think about the possibilities like a child small. crashing through traffic.
Some of the most common pedestrian accidents occur when a vehicle turns left or right at an intersection through a busy intersection, this type of danger is why you should always be careful and not distracted when driving through the intersection..
Other important tips when driving near intersections
- Follow the basics of safe driving.
- Traffic laws must be respected.
- Slow down when crossing a potentially dangerous situation.
- Focus on the road, don’t get distracted.
- Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Only drive when you are fit and well.
Finally, do not admit fault in an accident and talk to an attorney
An important rule to remember is that if you find yourself in an accident and you commit to all of the above, don’t admit you were at fault or apologize for any mistakes you may have made. A car accident at an intersection can be a stressful situation for many parties involved.
You may think you caused an accident or made a bad move, only to discover that another driver was actually at fault..
Instead, focus on documenting the scene, always report the accident, seek a prompt medical evaluation, even if you don’t feel injured, and then talk to an experienced car accident attorney about compensating you for the damage or to compensate the other party appropriately if you were at fault.