We’re accustomed to driving the same roads, highways, and interstates for the most part. We follow the same path to work each morning. We pick up the kids at the same time each day from school. We know which green lights are short and which red lights will keep you stalled for a while. We even know shortcuts will get us to the supermarket faster when there’s rush hour traffic.
While 95 percent of our driving time may happen on the same old roads, there are times when we find ourselves in unfamiliar places. Whether you’ve relocated to a new home, have a new job in a different area of town, or are on vacation with the family, unfamiliar roads and conditions certainly make driving more complicated. And if you aren’t careful, it can potentially increase your chances of being involved in an auto accident.
To avoid putting yourself in risky situations, you must plan.
6 Ways to Stay Safe When Driving in Unfamiliar Places
Regardless of where you find yourself, here are some simple techniques and strategies to reduce your risk of being involved in an accident. Use them to keep your family safe.
Do Some Research Ahead of Time
If you know that you’ll be in an unfamiliar place, do some research ahead of time. Pull up Google Maps and study the route. Try to get an idea of the overall route and some of the specific landmarks and individual roads you’ll be taking. When you have a general feel for the area, you’ll be much more comfortable on the road.
Choose the Right Vehicle
If you’re able to drive your vehicle, that’s probably the best option. (You’re always going to be more comfortable in your car. The fewer new variables, the better.) However, if you’re on vacation and renting a car, be sure to choose the correct vehicle. For example, if you’re in the mountains, you want something with a four-wheel drive. Or, if you’re in the city, something smaller with safety features like backup cameras and blind-spot warnings is a smart choice.
Eliminate Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. And if you find yourself in an unfamiliar setting, it’s even more likely that a distraction could jeopardy your safety.
The most common distractions include:
- Texting while driving.
- Backseat distractions (like fighting kids).
- Navigating the GPS.
- Looking at the new surroundings.
Anything you can do to eliminate these distractions at the source will be helpful.
Enlist a Co-Pilot
If you have the luxury of driving with other people in an unfamiliar area, enlist the help of a co-pilot. It is someone who can help you monitor the GPS and keep an eye out for road names, turns, speed limits, etc. It allows you to focus 100 percent of your energy on driving (rather than constantly scanning for information).
Follow the Speed Limit
Whatever you do, follow the speed limit. It probably sounds pretty obvious, but it’s extremely important. You significantly increase your chances of being involved in a car accident when you go above the speed limit. By staying within the limit, you give yourself more control over your vehicle and a better chance of avoiding accidents. If you were involved in an accident and you were not even speeding, you may wonder how you can prove that the other driver was speeding at the time of the accident. In such cases, an Atlanta car accident attorney can help in several ways to determine the speed.
Be Alert in These Problem Areas
Some certain areas and situations make you more prone to being involved in a car accident. For example, you’re much more likely to be involved in an accident at an intersection than you are going 75 miles per hour on the interstate. That may sound counterintuitive, but it’s true. Always be on high alert when going through an intersection. If you’re the first car in line when the light turns green, count to three and look both ways before proceeding.
Final Thoughts:
It doesn’t matter if you’re driving to work for the 300th time, or you find yourself on a backroad in a small town in the middle of the night – there are ways to stay safe and avoid accidents. Use these tips to limit your chances of getting into a car accident and driving confidently.
