Four Dangers In Driving

There are many driving concerns that safe drivers focus on regularly. They don’t text while driving, always make proper turns and stop at all red lights and stop signs. However, there are other hidden dangers in driving that even the safest drivers do not take seriously. Here is a list of four risk factors that some drivers do not pay enough attention to. 

1. The Dark

Driving after the sun goes down may not sound inherently risky, but the fact remains that almost twice as many accidents occur during the nighttime hours. Why is this? First of all, you are more likely to cross paths with a drunk or drowsy driver. This means you must be vigilant, though it may be harder to concentrate in the dark. Also, it is nearly impossible to see everything in front of you. However, you can aid your vision while driving at night by keeping your dashboard lights at the lowest possible visible setting. Keeping them ultra-bright interferes with your vision because there is too much of a contrast between the light and the dark. Another tip to improve your line of sight is to keep your windows and windshield clean at all times. Streaks and smears will cause a glare effect from approaching streetlights and passing headlights on other vehicles.

2. Rain

Rain is another factor that many take for granted. Water can create a slippery surface on roads and vehicles are just as likely to spin out-of-control on a wet road as they would on an icy one. However, while most of us respect the weather and drive appropriately in the rain, there are drivers that fall on the two extreme sides of the spectrum that each cause many accidents in wet weather. These are overly careful drivers and reckless drivers. Overly cautious drivers drive at ridiculously low speeds and when there are only a couple of travel lanes to drive in, they can cause traffic jams which may lead to road rage and rear end-type accidents. Conversely, the reckless driver typically takes advantage of the fact that there few people on the road during a weather event and they tend to speed and ignore all signs of danger. Many do not realize that even a four-wheel drive vehicle can skid on slippery roads. Slipping while speeding can lead to a high velocity crash.

3. Potholes

When you drive your automobile over potholes, you are risking a tire blowout or possibly losing control of your vehicle altogether. Potholes are openings formed in the road because the asphalt separated from the cement below it. Many are bowl-shaped and deep. Some have been measured to be as deep as 10 inches and as wide as 15 inches. They are formed by common wear-and tear of older, improperly maintained roads, and are only exasperated by rain, ice, snow and the salt compounds used to treat the roads in wintry climates. These deformities are a leading cause of automobile accidents, since hitting an extraordinarily deep pothole can even have the same effect on a vehicle as a 35 mile-per-hour crash. They can also be a terrible strain on your cars shocks and suspension. This is because rolling over potholes at an accelerated speed has quite an impact, so try to avoid them at all costs, if possible.

4. Wild Animals

When most of us drive through the country, we don’t really imagine that a wild animal could cross our path and cause a collision. However, in certain areas, it pays to be aware that this could possibly happen. When you spot an animal crossing sign, or you are driving near a deeply wooded area, make sure you take extra precautions. If you do see an animal, try your best to avoid hitting it. Not only do you not want to hurt the animal, but it is possible that, depending on the size of the creature, it could wreck your car or you could be seriously injured. If you have enough time, turn off your headlights. Headlights cause wild animals to freeze, hence the phrase “deer in the headlights.” If the animal can hear your vehicle, but does not see your headlights, it is more likely to run away than stick around. He will just see your car as another predator and leave.

While there are many driving dangers these four can be especially deceptive because they seem to be so commonly encountered. Nevertheless the first step towards a solution is by simply paying attention to the conditions while remembering that in the big picture it’s always more important to arrive safely than it is to arrive quickly.