New Roads, Same Old Dangers? The Top Hazards Facing Traveling Road Users

Whether you’re driving from city to city, or from one end of the country to the other, when you’re driving on unfamiliar roads, you should always exercise caution. You might be an incredibly confident driver with thousands of miles and years of experience under your belt, but that doesn’t mean you should rest easy. 

Road conditions can change in an instant and if you’re unaccustomed to these strange and foreign roads you might just find yourself caught up in an accident. If you’ve been in a road accident and it wasn’t your fault, click the link to speak to a personal injury lawyer based in Palatine. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you, the driver, to keep yourself safe and perform plenty of research before you hit the road. So, to give you a little help we’ve gathered a list of the top hazards facing traveling road users. 

The weather

You may have chosen your latest destination based on the climate. But how much do you really know about it? Your host country might enjoy hot, sunny spells for most of the time but it may be prone to thundery downpours and electrical storms. What about high winds or flash flooding? The weather can be unpredictable and make driving incredibly treacherous. 

Before you set off always check the local weather forecast and adjust your driving to the weather conditions. If it’s raining, slow down!

Wildlife

There’s nothing more thrilling than catching a glimpse of a wild animal in its natural habitat. But when nature and manmade creations collide, it can cause a whole load of issues. From deer crossing the road to skittish animals darting across the road in front of you, even domesticated pets failing to move out of the way in time. Wildlife is a serious hazard on the roads. 

You should be particularly cautious if you’re driving at night when visibility is much lower. Reduce your speed, and if there is an animal in the road in front of you, brake, flash your lights and sound your horn to encourage it to move along. 

Distractions

The biggest danger on the road could be you! When you’re driving somewhere new, there is always lots to take in and figure out. This means it’s incredibly easy to lose focus on the road ahead. Whether you’re trying to spot your hotel, find the right turn off, or consult your GPS system, taking your eyes off unfamiliar roads could end in catastrophe. Try to limit your distractions as much as possible and if you’re lost slow down or pull over somewhere safe to get your bearings. 

And finally, unfamiliar road signs

This is why researching your destination is crucial before you drive in unfamiliar territory. Failing to understand local road signs could mean putting yourself and other drivers at risk. You could also end up in trouble with the local police. Speed limits, no parking signs, STOP signs and other warning signs may look different to the ones you know back home. Do some research before you hit the road.