Indianapolis intersections are dangerous sections of roadway. While most crossroads are secure because of stop signs or traffic signals, some intersections in rural areas might be totally unsecured. Wherever you happen to be driving, avoiding car accidents should be one of your primary goals. It’s helpful to keep several safety tips in mind at intersections.
Whether you’re behind the wheel of a car, riding as a passenger, or traveling on foot or by bicycle, if a nearby motorist is not alert and cautious or disregards traffic laws, you’re at risk of collision, which might result in serious injuries. There’s simply not always enough time to safely react to avert an intersection disaster. However, implementing safety tips on a regular basis may reduce your chance of an accident.
Always scan your surroundings to avoid car accidents at crossroads
The lyrics of a popular 1960s rock-and-roll song include the line, “Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.” This is a fundamental safety tip for driving. It may not be enough to keep you safe at an intersection, though, which is why it’s best to thoroughly scan your full surroundings before entering a crossroad.
Scanning your surroundings might reveal a potential hazard, such as a pedestrian stepping off a curb or another motorist running a red light. You might also notice a stationary object, such as a garbage dumpster, light post or parked car that is obstructing your visibility on the road.
Yield the right-of-way even when you’re not obligated
If you know that it’s your turn to go next when you’re about to make a turn or enter an intersection but another driver looks as if he or she is not going to yield, it’s always safest to yield the right-of-way, even if you know the other person is supposed to be doing so. If no one yields, a collision might occur, so it’s always safest to let someone else go first rather than insisting on proceeding, simply because you know it’s your turn.
If you’re riding a bicycle, walk it across an intersection
Car accidents that occur at Indiana intersections often involve pedestrians or cyclists. If you enjoy riding a bicycle in your community, one of the best safety tips you can remember is to walk your bicycle through an intersection. You might think that it’d be better to ride it through, since that will get you to the other side quicker. On the contrary, you’ll have a lot more control over your own safety if you walk beside your bicycle rather than riding it while navigating an intersection.
If a vehicle hits you, the priority is to obtain medical attention. Many intersection collisions result in fatalities or severe injuries. Indiana law allows individuals to seek financial recovery for their losses when another person’s negligence was a causal factor in a car accident.