Safety on the Highway: 5 Things You Should Do to Stay Safe on the Highway

For most people, highway driving is a regular part of life. Whether for commuting on a daily basis, running errands, going for a night out on the town, or taking road trips, traveling at high speeds via motor vehicle is usually unavoidable. Unfortunately, however, car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death and the faster that vehicles are traveling, the greater the risk of a severe accident. Fortunately, there are multiple things that drivers can do to reduce their risk of being involved in an accident, and reduce their risk of serious injury should an accident occur. Before getting in your car again, read these five things that you should do to stay safe on the highway.

Maintain a Safe Speed

When driving on the highway, arguably one of the most important things that you need to do is to maintain a safe speed. This means following the speed limit, or even driving slower than the speed limit if road conditions are poor (construction zones, poor visibility, storms, etc.). Traveling at an unsafe speed increases the risk of losing control of one’s vehicle and being involved in a crash. Speeding also increases the risk of a crash being severe should one occur. This is because force in an accident—which determines severity—is dependent on mass multiplied by acceleration. In other words, the heavier the vehicles involved and the faster they are traveling, the more force.

Avoid Aggressive Behaviors

 Driving on a highway can undoubtedly be frustrating. Other drivers may perform illegal maneuvers, traffic can result in stop-and-go traffic that results in arriving late to one’s destination, and construction zones can slow things way down. However, regardless of how frustrating driving is, it is your responsibility to avoid engaging in aggressive driving behaviors. Aggressive driving includes:

• Speeding, especially in heavy traffic
• Tailgating
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Intentionally blocking cars that are attempting to turn or change lanes
• Changing lanes without signaling
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Tapping on one’s brakes or flashing headlights

Some types of aggressive driving behaviors are not only unsafe, but illegal, too. If you engage in aggressive driving, you’re putting others on the road and yourself at risk of an accident and if you cause a crash, you could be held liable for the damages that result.

Be Sober, Alert, and Free of Distractions

 Whenever you get behind the wheel of a car, it’s critical that you are in the right frame of mind to drive. In addition to putting frustrations and the urge to engage in aggressive driving or road rage aside, you also need to be sober, alert, and free of any dangerous distractions. Getting behind the wheel when you are intoxicated or impaired, fatigued, or distracted can lead to a deadly crash—these are some of the most common causes of fatal accidents.

Safety Share the Road

 While it’s unlikely that there will be pedestrians or bicyclists on the highway in Mississippi, you may encounter motorcycles and big rigs—driving around each has the potential to be dangerous. Remember that you are sharing the road. When driving around big rigs, this means:

• Providing plenty of space between your vehicle and the truck
• Keeping in mind that large trucks require more stopping distance than smaller cars
• Being patient with trucks that may be traveling at a slower speed than the rest of traffic
• Avoiding trucks’ blind spots, which are directly in front of, behind, and to the right and left of a truck

When driving around motorcycles, sharing the road safely means:

• Always double-checking your blind spots before changing lanes
• Maintaining a safe speed
• Providing a safe amount of distance when following a motorcyclist or changing lanes in front of a motorcyclists
• Yielding the right of way when required under law

 Drive Defensively

 Finally, remember that even if you’re the safest driver on the road, others around you may not be. Always drive defensively and pay close attention to your surroundings. If you notice a driver that’s speeding, swerving, or acting aggressively, get out of the way for your own safety. What’s more, remember to always wear your seat belt to reduce the risk of injury in the event that you are in a crash.

Contact Mississippi Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been involved in a Mississippi highway accident, working with an attorney can help you to recover the settlement you deserve. To learn more about your legal rights and options after a crash, contact Mississippi Car Accident Attorney directly by sending us a message online to learn more about our services. We are here for you when you need it most.