The Highways that Demand Extra Caution Across America
When we talk about dangerous roads, it’s not just about roller-coaster-like bends and insane drops. It’s about statistics, the rates of fatal crashes, and some eye-opening factors. According to Teletrac Navman, a GPS fleet tracking software, some of the most perilous highways in the U.S are I-45 in Texas, I-95 in Florida, and – yep, you guessed it – one that’s in the sunny state of Arizona, US-93.
The Question of ‘Why’ – Following Rules on Dangerous Highways
You might think: why all the fuss? It’s a highway like any other, right?
Well, not quite. Studies indicate that these highways have higher crash rates due to factors like heavy traffic, poor road conditions, high speeds, and dear me, even wildlife.
Take Arizona’s US-93 for instance, an ASU study found that wildlife crashes alone accounted for 7% of all accidents.
According to Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys, following speed limits, wearing seat belts, avoiding tailgating and essentially sticking to the rules isn’t just about dodging a ticket, it can truly be the difference between life and death on these highways.
Tips Tricks and Reality Checks: Avoiding Collisions
The truth is, it’s no rocket science. To stay safe, it’s all about being focused, alert, and respectful to other drivers.
Teletrac Navman recommends allowing a two-second gap between your car and the one in front, regularly checking your mirrors, keeping your headlights on even in the daytime for better visibility, and avoiding distractions (like that tweet that can wait).
But here’s a reality check: sometimes even if you’re the safest driver, accidents can still happen.
Taking Inspiration: International Safety Standards
Looking beyond our borders, wouldn’t it be grand if we could recreate the scenario in countries with the safest roads? Like Sweden, where the concept of Vision Zero was first introduced.
They aim for no fatalities or serious injuries resulting from road traffic. An incredible goal and one that has seen improvement with a decrease in deaths by nearly half since the year 2000.
They achieve this through continual improvement in road conditions, safety protocols, vehicle technology, and a cutting-edge approach to education and legislation for road users.
Let’s touch on a somber but realistic note; despite our best efforts, accidents do happen. Leonard Evans, a renowned traffic safety researcher had the following to say on it: “It’s the behavior of drivers that counts most.
There will always be mistakes, and there will always be infrastructure failings, but how drivers respond to them is how accidents happen.”
So, let’s do our part to make our American roads safer. Because at the end of the day, we are the ones behind the wheel.