Data published by the U.S. Department of Transportation captures how at least 90% of all crashes result purely from driving errors.
While there’s no existing technology that allows motorists to account for intoxicated, sleepy or distracted drivers, motorists can employ defensive driving techniques when operating their vehicles to minimize their chances of having a crash — particularly at intersections in the road.
Drivers can benefit from employing certain strategies when approaching and navigating intersections to minimize their crash risk.
Ways to minimize intersection accidents
Intersection accidents also often result from driver errors. Some of the many mistakes that motorists make at them include:
- Confusion over traffic signals, especially as it relates to whether to stop or proceed when a light turns yellow
- Difficulty anticipating how long it takes to make it to the intersection or come to a complete stop
- Drivers traveling into the wrong lane, confusing other motorists about their intentions
- Motorists’ failures to recognize road boundaries such as medians and signs indicating that they’re traveling in the wrong direction
It can also be quite dangerous when motorists approach intersections as they often must make assumptions about other drivers’ actions. Motorists must make split-second decisions about whether another driver appears to be yielding to their right of way.
Generally speaking, the best way to minimize the chances of a wreck at an intersection is to be more cautious and deliberate about your actions. Make sure that you aren’t distracted by the radio or your phone, keep conversation inside the vehicle to a minimum and try to use familiar routes where you know what to anticipate and understand the traffic flow the best.
What to do if you suffer injuries in an intersection accident
Each driver is unique and unpredictable. Accidents often occur as a result of this. North Carolina law may allow you to recover monetary compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses. An attorney will want to explain the concept of liability to you before advising you what course of action you might want to take in your accident case.
