Get Tips from the Experienced Legal Team at Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C., in Atlanta.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates approximately 400 people die and countless others are injured every year from wrong-way driving accidents. While less than one percent of all other types of vehicle crashes result in fatalities, a staggering 22% of wrong-way accidents are fatal. These fatal accidents are the result of high-speed, head-on collisions.
Considering the seriousness of wrong-way driving accidents, it’s important for you to take the proper defensive measures to avoid and prevent these collisions. The following information from the team at Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C. explains a few of the top defensive driving tactics you can use to protect yourself, your family, and other drivers on the road.
Understanding Why a Driver is Going the Wrong Way
Before learning how to avoid wrong-way drivers, it’s important to understand why they are driving this way in the first place.
In general, there are three primary reasons someone may drive on the wrong-side of the road:
- The driver turns on the wrong side of the highway or road after losing their bearings or taking the wrong exit.
- A driver doesn’t follow signs and turns onto an exit interstate or freeway ramp as opposed to the entrance ramp.
- The driver ignores signs indicating that a street only goes one way.
Although in some instances the driver may be inebriated, the most common culprit of wrong-way driving is simply not paying attention and following/understanding signs.
Tip 1: Swerve the Vehicle to the Right to Avoid a Wrong-Way Driver
If you encounter a wrong-way driver, your best maneuver is to swerve to the right. In the meantime, you can flash your lights and honk your horn to alert the driver. After they pass, safely pull over to the side of the road and dial 911.
Tip 2: Stay Vigilant and Continually Scan the Road
As you travel down the highway, it’s imperative to continually scan the road. Make sure to look up and pay attention to what’s happening on the road ahead. Most drivers tend to look no further than a few hundred feet ahead of them; however, you can quickly look ahead up to a quarter of a mile when safe. This simple practice will give you enough time to spot the wrong-way driver and react.
Tip 3: Limit Distractions and Keep Your Eyes on the Road
Drivers who have limited distractions are much more likely to effectively react to a wrong-way driver. It’s vital to keep your eyes on the road to continually scan for hazards and wrong-way drivers. This simple practice will give you those extra seconds necessary to avoid a wrong-way driver.
Contact the Car Accident Attorneys at Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C.
When drivers avoid drinking or taking drugs, are aware of their surroundings, and pay attention to the road, the likelihood of making a wrong-way turn is very low. But some drivers are outright careless or under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
If you have been injured in a wrong-way driving accident, you may be able to hold the responsible party accountable. Contact Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C., a top Atlanta auto accident law firm, to schedule your free consultation with an experienced accident attorney.
