While you may feel fortunate to live in a place that puts its tax dollars to work, road construction can be an annoyance, especially if you are running behind. However, road construction and work zones are often full of hazards and workers, so you should be as careful as possible when driving through these areas. The following information can help to increase your safety as well as the safety of others when you are traveling through road construction zones.
There will be road signs placed alongside the roadway to warn you before you reach the actual construction zone. Pay close attention to these signs and what they say. As soon as you see a “work zone ahead” sign, be on the lookout for workers and hazards, and slow down.
In many road construction zones, you may receive directions to drive over gravel or uneven surfaces. Big metal plates often reinforce overpasses and bridges that are under repair, so expect a rough ride. Again, there will be orange signs to warn you of major changes to the driving surface, so slow down when you see these signs.
In some construction zones, human flaggers stop or redirect traffic. When flaggers are present, you will usually see orange construction signs that read “flagger ahead.” Watch out for flaggers in all construction zones, and always keep your vehicle as far away from the flaggers as possible.
The best way to increase safety in road construction zones is to slow down. On many interstate highways, the speed limit is 55 miles per hour in construction zones when workers are not present. However, when workers are present, the speed limit is often considerably lower. Keep in mind that, if the police catch you speeding and issue you a ticket within a construction zone, you may receive a fine for double the amount of a normal ticket.
Accidents that happen in road construction zones may not only involve motorists, but they can potentially affect construction workers as well. This is why it is crucial to stay focused and reduce your speed any time you are driving through a work zone. Unfortunately, you can be as careful and as safe as possible and still be involved in an accident. If you receive an injury in a car accident due to no fault of your own, there are options available to hold the negligent parties accountable.
]]>Understandably, when you’re driving in low-light conditions, it can be harder to see other vehicles or obstructions in the road. The hours from dusk to daylight are considered the most dangerous time to be on the road. Low-light conditions limit your visibility and can slow down your reaction time. By understanding the challenges that come with driving after dark, you can help keep yourself and others on the road safe.
Everyone is affected differently when driving at night. As you age, your ability to see things in the dark decreases, which can make you more likely to be involved in an accident. When driving after dark, even when using your bright beams, your visibility is limited to around 500 feet in front of you. This means you may not be aware of a hazard quickly enough to react.
Driving in low-light conditions can also affect your depth perception and impact your peripheral vision. You may not be able to recognize colors as well as you can during daylight hours. The glare from the headlights of oncoming drivers can also impede your ability to drive safely. There are, however, ways to drive more safely when you must be on the road after dark.
Making sure your headlights and windshield are clean before heading out can improve your visibility when you’re driving after dark. If you wear glasses, be sure to use anti-reflective lenses during nighttime. Be sure to avoid distractions and don’t drive when you’re overtired as it can have similar effects to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Older drivers may wish to have frequent vision checks and may consider taking a refresher driving course to help them feel more comfortable on the road.
Sometimes, motor vehicle accidents are simply not avoidable. If you are involved in an accident, the injuries sustained can greatly impact your life and may prevent you from working or participating in activities that you enjoy. If you find yourself in a financial bind after being injured in an accident due to negligence on behalf of another Oregon driver, be aware that you have the legal right to seek compensation to help you recover.
]]>Driving at excessive speeds may not only place you at risk of receiving a citation during a traffic stop, but it could also increase your chances of being involved in a collision. Addressing the hazards involved with such behavior could help you prepare to form safer driving habits, but what happens when others fail to do the same?
Excessive speeding is a type of negligent behavior that remains a contributing factor in far too many collisions. Some examples of reasons why speeding can be so hazardous may include:
Even if you choose to avoid engaging in such behavior, should you encounter a speeding driver on Oregon roads, you might not always find it possible to respond in time to avoid a hazardous situation.
Should the actions of a speeding driver create a dangerous situation, the fallout of an ensuing collision could have a lasting impact on your life. Incidents involving such negligence could run a greater risk of leaving you with severe or life-changing injuries and facing a host of financial hardships. Although there might be little to nothing you can do to avoid such hazards at times, there may be certain options to help protect your future interests should the unimaginable occur.
]]>While you might not be able to control the actions of others, there may still be certain measures you can take to help promote a safer driving environment. Practicing defensive driving could prove integral to mitigating safety risks and helping improve your ability to respond to any hazards that may arise.
Taking a defensive approach to driving can be essential to staving off safety risks, and there may be various types of strategies you can use to help improve your safety while on the open road, such as:
Using caution when navigating through intersections can also be vital to promoting safety, as assuming nearby drivers will yield right of way may only lead to a greater risk of an unfortunate outcome.
Unfortunately, even the safest of drivers might not always find it possible to steer clear of the path of danger upon encountering the negligent actions of another driver. The outcome of such a collision could take a dire toll on your well-being and leave you facing a multitude of challenges in life.
Suffering severe or permanent injuries in a situation over which you had little to no control can be a challenging thing to process. The outcome thereof may leave you in search of advice on the best course of action to take to protect your future interests by pursuing the restitution you deserve.
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