Did you know that intersections are one of the most dangerous places you can drive? Roughly half of all car accidents involving injuries take place at or near intersections. The same is true for about 25% of all fatal car accidents.
You can’t always avoid driving through intersections, of course, so how do you do it safely? Here are three tips that you may want to keep in mind.
Stay alert
Even if you’re stopped at the intersection, keep your eyes on the road around you. Don’t get your phone out and check your notifications. Watch for vehicles coming up behind you, which may mean you could get rear-ended, and keep a close eye on the traffic signal so you can react properly if the light changes. You should still be engaged with safe driving practices, even when the car isn’t moving.
Look both ways
Even when the light does change, it’s important to look both ways. Take a heartbeat to look for people who are running the red light, perhaps because they sped up to make it through the yellow light and didn’t time it perfectly. If you drive out in front of someone who is running the red light, that light itself will not help you.
Choose simple road designs
Whenever you can, seek road designs with fewer intersections and simpler designs. One reason that the interstate is so safe, for example, is because traffic is always moving in the same direction.
What if you get injured?
These safety tips can help you, but the stats show that intersections are still very dangerous. If you get injured due to another driver’s mistake, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and related costs.