Traveling and vacationing are wonderful opportunities to observe new sights and cultures, relax, and eliminate stress. However, navigating different cities or countries can be intimidating, especially when driving. Vacations are often distracting, leading to accidents if one isn’t careful. Thankfully, most travelers navigate new places unscathed when they learn the typical causes of car accidents while traveling and stay vigilant to avoid them.
Sightseeing
When you’re traveling, everything is new and distracting. While you’re behind the wheel, excessive sightseeing can make you susceptible to accidents. You may rear-end another vehicle or hit a pedestrian if you’re not entirely focused on the road in front of you. It may be tempting to peek at your new surroundings, but it can wait. You can park and observe the sights properly to keep everyone, including yourself, safe.
Unfamiliar Roads
Traveling to a new place is fun, but getting used to new roads and unfamiliar directions takes a lot of work. Some streets may be narrower or have more dangerous curves than you’re used to. Taking on a new road too fast can cause accidents. You may even drive incorrectly on a one-way street or miss an exit, which can cause a crash if you’re not careful. Pay attention to road signs, and relax if you miss a turn or exit. You can always turn around, but you can’t undo an accident.
Pedestrians
You’ll likely encounter a lot more pedestrians in tourist-prone areas. If you’re not paying attention to crosswalks or the road before you, your chances of a pedestrian accident increase significantly. You may even be one of the pedestrians in an accident, as it’s harder for drivers to pay attention to walkers when looking at the street. Pay attention to cars and pedestrians around you; don’t solely pay attention to green lights.
Different Cars or Driving Styles
When traveling, you may find yourself behind the wheel of a vehicle you’ve never driven before, such as a truck, rental, 4×4, or foreign car. A truck accident can quickly happen when one isn’t familiar with driving one; trucks can be great for offroading and exploring rougher roads, but a little bit of practice can go a long way in terms of safety. When driving a car in a foreign country, one has to get used to new road rules and vehicles. The USA drives on the opposite side of the road from most countries; adapting to this change can be challenging and may result in accidents when not careful.
Navigation Errors
Sometimes, the GPS gives wrong instructions, and you miss your turn or address. Construction on an unfamiliar stretch of highway can cause you to miss an exit. Many people accept the mistake and turn around somewhere else. Other times, the brakes get slammed, and drivers try to correct the error dangerously. It’s best to avoid this, even if you think no one is around. Most GPS devices automatically give you a new route if you miss something. Take it easy and enjoy the drive.
Drowsiness
While going on vacation is fun, excessive traveling and waking up early can tire you. A full day of fun can be pretty exhausting. Driving can make you drowsy or even nod off, making you highly vulnerable to accidents. If you’re too tired, consider turning to your hotel earlier next time. Ask someone else to drive if you feel you may fall asleep. Having a passenger check on you is also a great way to stay awake.
Driving Under the Influence
Most travelers like to let loose and have a few drinks while on vacation. There’s nothing wrong with this; you’re there to relax. However, just one drink can lower your defenses and make you susceptible to an accident. Be careful where and when you consume alcohol. Consider bringing a designated driver or alternative transportation to your lodgings if you need to drive. Drinking and driving is never worth it.
Distracted Driving
When on a road trip or vacation, distractions are numerous. You may be wrestling with kids in the backseat, trying to put on makeup, or fiddling with a snack bag. Sightseeing or animated passengers can also distract eyes from the road. Pull over if you need to grab something that will take longer than a brief second. Give your kids methods of entertainment so they aren’t distracting you. Let someone else navigate with your phone’s GPS so you’re not looking at maps instead of the road.
Speeding
Going on vacation is exciting; you may be tempted to reach your destination sooner, influencing you to press your gas pedal a little too hard. Even a slight increase in speed significantly reduces your reaction time to other drivers. You may hit debris or a dangerous curve too fast due to unfamiliarity with new roads, which can make you lose control of the vehicle. The number one cause of deadly car accidents is speeding. You’ll reach your destination one way or another; you don’t need to risk your life.
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