Even if you go out of your way to avoid driving on the highway, you may still find yourself doing so every now and again. After all, it’s often the most efficient way to make it from point A to point B.
There are many dangers associated with highway driving, all of which you want to protect against. These are among the most common concerns:
- Fast-moving vehicles: The speed limit on the highway is much faster than city roads, thus putting you at more risk of a high speed collision. Adding to this is the fact that some drivers don’t follow the speed limit, which gives you one more challenge to contend with.
- Construction: Nowadays, it seems like you can’t drive very far on the highway without encountering a construction zone. These areas are full of challenges, ranging from lane closures to workers in close proximity to the roadway.
- Reckless drivers: Reckless driving takes on many forms on the highway, such as excessive speeding, failure to use turn signals and illegal passing. Even if you avoid these behaviors, other drivers may not take nearly as much caution.
- Large commercial vehicles: From commercial trucks to delivery vans, these vehicles take up a lot of space on the road. Additionally, their high profile makes them more difficult to control.
- Drowsy driving: This is most common should you find yourself on the highway for a long period of time, such as when taking a road trip. If you become drowsy, pull over and take a break. Just the same, keep your eyes open for other drivers, truckers in particular, who may not be up to the task of driving responsibly.
These are the types of things you have to think about when driving on the highway. Doing so allows you to plan for every scenario, which can help protect against trouble.
Even with a safe approach to the road, another driver could cause an accident. Due to your speed alone, a highway accident has the potential to cause serious injuries and even death.
Your health is top priority, so call 911 for help and seek immediate medical care. As things calm down post-accident, you can then turn your attention to your legal rights.