Top Driving Hazards That You Need to Be Aware Of

Let’s face it; driving can be dangerous. Whether you’re making a short trip to the grocery store or are driving across the state to visit a relative, there are numerous hazards along the way.

Luckily, you can avoid a vast array of these hazards if you know what to look for. Continue reading below to learn all the top driving dangers to look out for the next time you’re on the road. 

Related: Technologies to Prevent Crashes Due to Wrong-Way Drivers

1) Traffic Congestion

Traffic jams are one of the leading causes of car accidents. While accidents in traffic aren’t always as deadly as head-on collisions, they can still cause severe injuries. Most people drop their guard in traffic because it’s moving slowly. However, you should always stay alert and keep your distance between cars during a jam. Doing so will protect both your vehicle and the occupants inside. 

2) Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is another major cause of automobile accidents. Various factors constitute reckless driving, such as:

• Driving under the influence
• Going over the speed limit
• Texting or using your phone
• Unnecessary passing
• Driving too slow
• Tailgating

While these actions above are hazardous, it’s not uncommon to encounter them on the road. If you see a reckless driver, try to create enough safe distance away from them so you can scan the road appropriately. 

Related: How Crash Resistance Barriers are Saving Lives

3) Faulty Traffic Lights

Traffic lights are there to keep drivers safe and maintain a steady flow of traffic. Although, sometimes, these lights can be outdated and incredibly dangerous. 

There is a protocol to follow when traffic lights stop working, but not everyone remembers what they learned during driving school. If you come across a faulty traffic light, check to see all drivers are stopped before continuing further. 

4) Incautious Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Although pedestrians and cyclists have the right to be on the road, they aren’t always cautious. Carelessness from bicyclists and pedestrians can cause severe injuries and property damage. 

Divers are responsible for detecting careless pedestrians and cyclists to avoid an accident. That means you’ll need to be extra cautious. Always expect the unexpected and drive carefully near those on foot or bikes.

5) Children

Children don’t have the same threat-deception capabilities as adults. As a result, they are more careless when near roads. Always be on the lookout for signs that indicate there are children nearby, especially in school zones. 

If there are children nearby, always drive slowly and be extra alert. Assume that they may run into the street at any given time. So, you’ll need to be ready to hit the brakes right away.

6) Weather

The weather plays a significant role in how safe the roads are. Snow, rain, and other forms of extreme climates can make driving a lot more dangerous. As a result, you should drive according to the weather. 

Try to drive slower and maintain a safe distance from other cars if the roads are wet. Furthermore, always ensure your windshield wipers are on, giving you a clear view of the traffic ahead. 

7) Debris and Potholes

When you see a massive pothole or piece of road debris ahead, it can be an instinct to swerve out of the way. However, this can cause an accident, so you try your best to maneuver out of the way slowly.

Remember to grip the steering wheel tight if you need to go over a pothole or piece of debris. Doing so will prevent you from losing control over your vehicle. 

Want to learn the best ways to make our roads safer? Contact our team today to learn about our extensive collection of roadway safety solutions. 

How BRSS Can Help

B&B Roadway and Security solutions provide a wide variety of roadway safety products to keep drivers and pedestrians safer during travel. 

Some of our top solutions include:

Bollards

We design our bollards to help businesses create a safe perimeter around their property. They are vertical posts that prevent vehicles from accessing restricted areas. You can apply a wide variety of removable and fixed bollards to ensure no unwanted vehicles enter the premises. 

Consisting of reinforced steel, our bollards are strong enough to prevent high-impact intrusions. Consider bollards if you’re having trouble with unwanted vehicles parking or passing through your property.  

Barriers

Vehicle barriers are an excellent choice if you want to add additional security and safety to your business. They are typically prevalent at locations with high foot traffic (school zones, pedestrian crosswalks, etc.) 

Furthermore, these barriers come in numerous shapes and sizes. A speed bump is a common form of vehicle barrier that helps regulate speed in areas with many pedestrians. 

Related: Speed Bumps Vs Speed Humps: What’s the Difference?

Gates

Vehicle gates are sturdy structures that temporarily prevent cars from entering a hazardous zone. The most familiar type of vehicle gates is those you see at train tracks. 

Companies can also use vehicle gates at job sites to minimize damages and guarantee employee safety. Here at BBRSS, you can find a wide variety of vehicle gates suitable for your unique situation. 

Related: Active Warning Gates For Use In Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Warning Barriers

Similar to vehicle gates, warning barriers are there to help control the flow of vehicles going in and out of a property. Active barriers are an excellent choice if you’re trying to keep unwanted drivers out of a restricted area.

Passive barriers are there if you want to permanently keep anyone from passing through a specific part of your perimeter. They are solid and can prevent high-impact intrusions. 

Navigation Lights

Navigation lights are there to help vehicles and boats maneuver through dangerous work sites. Depending on the project, companies are often required by law to have an arsenal of navigation lights on-site at all times. 

Without them, cars will find it challenging to drive through the site. Companies can reduce risk and liabilities by having the correct lights set up throughout the area.

You can find a vast collection of navigation lights right here at BBRSS.

Looking for ways to implement these safety features? Check out all the standard applications for our top road safety products. 

Final Word

Even with modern technology, the road can still be a dangerous place. You need to constantly be aware of reckless drivers, faulty traffic lights, and several other variables that may put you in harm’s way. 

Fortunately, governments and job sites can improve vehicle safety by implementing a vast array of different safety features.