Unfamiliar roads can lead to unfamiliar problems. Any car accident lawyer can tell you that confusion and unexpected road surprises are leading causes of crashes. As a driver, charting unexplored territory can be taxing on your senses. However, most people don’t think about the extra attention and vigilance needed on unfamiliar roads.
The Biggest Dangers on Unfamiliar Roads
Do you have a big move or road trip planned? Get familiar with some common dangers of driving on unfamiliar roads to get fully prepared for a safe, surprise-free journey.
Distractions Inside Your Car
When you’re on roads you’ve never traveled before, you’re on constant alert to make sure you’re headed in the right direction. That often means allowing your eyes to drift to your phone or GPS system. You may also be on the lookout for landmarks or mile markers that indicate you’re going in the right direction. Those quick glances at road signs take your eyes off of what’s happening in the road right in front of you.
Speed Limits
Speed limits in a new area may be different than what you’re used to in your local area. This can give you the false confidence to go faster than you should. Ultimately, going above the speed limit increases your risk for everything from traffic tickets to collisions.
Unfamiliar Road Conditions
Things like dips, hills, and sharp curves in an unfamiliar area can leave you scrambling to adjust your driving habits. As a driver in an unfamiliar area, part of your job is anticipating the unknown. It’s always wise to go a little below the speed limit to be able to increase your reaction time if the terrain suddenly shifts.
Different Traffic Features
Things like roundabouts, intersections with combined lights and stop signs, and other traffic features can cause panic when you’re behind the wheel. The truth is that every town and region in the country has its own unique traffic features. Local drivers don’t flinch when they come upon them because they use them every day. Meanwhile, out-of-town drivers often get stuck in a moment of hesitation while they try to figure out the instructions. That hesitation can put you at risk for being hit if you’re out of sync with other drivers on the road.
Aggressive Drivers
It’s not just the layout of the unfamiliar driving environment that can put you at risk. Driving in a new area can leave you intimidated by local driving behaviors. For example, you might be visiting a city with very different driving customs compared to the suburban or rural area you usually drive in. High speeds and aggressive driving all around you can make you feel pressure to keep up. Unfortunately, you may not have the skill and experience to carry out aggressive road maneuvers without hitting the curb, a pedestrian, or another vehicle.
Distractions Outside Your Car
New areas can be exciting! For drivers, there’s always the temptation to do a little “sightseeing” out the window when exploring a new place. Those quick glances can cause you to take your eyes off the road long enough for a catastrophe to happen. This is true whether you’re being bombarded by skyscrapers in your passenger-side window or you’re driving along idyllic cow fields in the country. Avoid the temptation to soak in the beauty of the landscape when you’re the one behind the wheel.
Wildlife, Pedestrians, and Other Wildcards
Someone who mostly drives in the city may not anticipate deer, turkeys, moose, and other types of wildlife crossing in the road in front of them. If you’re a country driver in everyday life, you may not be prepared for the high pedestrian and bicycle traffic when visiting a city or dense suburban area. Always assume you’re sharing the road with “someone or something” regardless of where you’re driving.
How to Stay Safe When Driving in an Unfamiliar Area
Driving in a new area doesn’t have to be dangerous. Just being aware that you need to anticipate extra risks is the first step. Here are some other tips for safe driving on new roads:
- Study the Route: Relying fully on GPS or your phone as you go will increase the amount of times you need to glance at technology during your drive. Spend time getting familiar with the general route ahead of time to reduce reliance on technology as you drive.
- Activate Voice Navigation: Switch on voice-guided navigation to keep your eyes off technology. If you need to readjust your route or clarify something as you’re driving, pull over and stop driving before you engage with the screen.
- Don’t Assume: Don’t assume moves like U-turns are safe and legal on the road you’re driving on if you make a mistake that requires you to turn around.
- Give Yourself Extra Time: Build in time for going slower and pulling over to verify your GPS directions. Feeling rushed to reach a destination while driving in an unfamiliar area can increase your risk of making panic-induced traffic mistakes.
- Schedule Breaks: If you’re driving in an unfamiliar area because you’re on a road trip, account for the fact that taking in new views and being more vigilant about the road will require more mental energy. This is going to increase the speed at which you become fatigued. Stopping for just a few minutes to give your eyes, brain, and nervous system a chance to relax can make a big difference for driving performance and safety.
Yes, new roads can be exciting to explore. They can also put you at risk for mistakes caused by panic or confusion. Simply slowing down, keeping your eyes on the road, and expecting a surprise here and there should be enough to keep you in control.
If you have been injured in an accident with an unexperienced driver, don’t hestiate to contact an attorney who will be able to provide legal guidance after a crash.
