Avoiding Dangerous Intersections | Pommie Travels

Accidents are a common occurrence on roads today. However, did you know that close to half of all motor vehicle accidents take place at intersections? If you are a driver, then it should come as no surprise that intersections are by far the roads’ most dangerous areas. But why are intersections so dangerous? 

Well, unlike any other part of a road, intersections require cyclists, motor vehicle drivers, and pedestrians to cross paths at a go. Even worse is when vehicles and cyclists cross paths at high speeds, increasing the risk for potential road accidents. 

Surprisingly, the risks are increased when a driver has driven over the intersection numerous times. In such scenarios, drivers tend to let their guard down, thus, becoming more susceptible to accidents in dangerous intersections in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The good news is that you can avoid dangerous intersection accidents by avoiding most of the intersections. However, this is not always the case. What happens when you cannot avoid driving through an intersection? Here are measures you should take to prevent intersection accidents.

Slow Down

The vast majority of accidents that take place at intersections are always instantiations. A cyclist can swerve into your lane without any indication; a pedestrian may step into the road before the green light, and many other scenarios. While this is the case, it’s of utmost importance to note that your rate of speed will determine how well you’ll be able to respond and manage these abrupt changes.

As a rule of thumb, the faster you are driving at an intersection, the lesser your chances of stopping, and you’re more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. Therefore, always slow down whenever you are driving through an intersection.

Always Signal Appropriately

Another way to enhance your safety when crossing an intersection is to always signal appropriately. Activating your signal indicators too early or too late can send a false indication to another driver causing the driver to make a fatal mistake. Simultaneously, an accident can quickly occur whenever you don’t give another driver enough time to signal. It’s imperative that you thoroughly assess every unique situation at an intersection before using your signal in the right manner.

Go further to watch out for any cross traffic whenever you approach an intersection. Remember that regardless of whether you have the right of way at an intersection, your safety at the intersection is your responsibility. Therefore, always learn to assess every situation and make the right decisions when crossing an intersection.

Watch Out for Pedestrians

As mentioned above, intersections are always a meeting point for motorcyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. Depending on the size of an intersection, the chances of accidents occurring are relatively high. The bigger the intersection, the more the number of pedestrians and drivers, and the higher the chances of accidents. 

When driving at an intersection, you should always be on the lookout for pedestrians. Before speeding up or taking a turn at an intersection, always ensure to be on the lookout for pedestrians. Remember that some of the pedestrians can be intoxicated by drugs or merely psychotic. Either way, you should ensure to watch out for pedestrians, who can step into your lane without notice.

Avoid Any Distractions

With every road user converging at an intersection, you can expect there to be many distractions. In some instances, intersections can cause traffic jams, which can make you relaxed. While you might want to listen to music as you wait for the green light, you should always keep your eyes on the road ahead and your hands on your steering wheel. To effectively do this, avoid texting, eating, or drinking whenever you drive through an intersection.

In a Nutshell

Since many road users meet at an intersection, the need to be careful when driving through an intersection has never been higher. It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings whenever you are at an intersection.