Congested conditions increase the likelihood that drivers will be involved in a car wreck. If you’re out enjoying the spring weather and driving about, be prepared to deal with more congestion than usual. Dallas may have mild winters, but that doesn’t mean that drivers aren’t going to be excited about the warm days and nights ahead and that the roads won’t be congested.
Slow Down
One of the easiest ways to avoid getting in a wreck is to slow down when you hit congestion. When you’re speeding, you give yourself no chance to react to a situation where another driver slams on the brakes or does something else negligent. In very congested conditions, the posted speed limit is sometimes too fast to drive safely. Be ready to deal with the situation as it is, even if that means that the speed limit may be far too fast.
Communicate
There’s a lot to be said for making an effort to communicate with other drivers. It’s a lot better than screaming at them from behind your windshield. If you need to merge into a lane, wave to the person behind you in addition to signaling. Most of the time, this is personable enough that they’ll let you in. It makes them realize that they’re dealing with a human being and not just a car, so they’ll be more likely to be polite and let you in.
Wait for Intersections to Clear
Sometimes, the interactions in congested areas do not clear when the light changes. Whether those drivers who linger in the intersection ran a yellow light or not to get there, you have to accommodate them. Let them clear the intersection before you go and be very careful for people rushing through close to the red.
Bring Water
It’s a good idea to bring water with you whenever you drive in the spring or summer. If you’re stuck in a traffic jam with nothing to drink, you’re going to be miserable for sure. You may also risk dehydrating, which can become a very serious issue very quickly. Bringing along a snack is also a good idea. It’s a lot easier to sit around in traffic if you have something to eat and drink and you’re not just staring at the cars in front of you.
If you’re injured due to a negligent driver, be sure to contact an accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you file a legal action.
