Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet suburban neighborhood, certain areas, roadways, or intersections can be challenging to navigate. State Route 48 between Ridgeview Lane and Saddle Creek Lane is one example of a roadway known for having major congestion and other safety concerns. This area can be particularly hazardous during heavy traffic or inclement weather.
In addition, even if you make every effort to obey the rules of the road and avoid unsafe driving behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, and tailgating, you cannot control how other motorists drive. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid a serious car accident when navigating challenging roadways. If you are injured in a car accident on State Route 48 that another motorist caused, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience.
What Are the Safety Concerns Associated with State Route 48?
State Route 48, or SR 48 is a north-south highway in Ohio that runs from SR 132 near Goshen to SR 66 near Houston. Also known as North Main Street, it is one of Dayton’s busiest thoroughfares. The combination of heavy traffic, inclement weather, and unsafe driving behavior can dramatically increase the risk of a serious accident on a road known for safety concerns. For example, a section of SR 48 has four of the busiest intersections, which can create safety hazards if motorists do not obey the rules of the road. In addition, this is one of the most dangerous roads for pedestrian accidents, largely due to increased distracted driving behavior. The vast majority of accidents that occur on SR 48 are preventable if motorists pay attention to their surroundings, follow the traffic laws, and avoid distractions.
What Can I Do to Avoid a Car Accident?
No matter where you are driving, you are responsible for making safety a priority and following the rules of the road at all times. This is particularly important when navigating roadways with challenges like heavy traffic, narrow lanes, multi-lane intersections, and sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists. You can significantly reduce the risk of a serious car accident by keeping the following driving tips in mind at all times:
- Obey the posted speed limit. All motorists have a responsibility to observe the speed limit and maintain a safe driving speed. It is also extremely important to adjust your speed according to the current weather and road conditions, as well as during heavy traffic. A speeding-related car accident is likely to be significantly more serious due to the extreme force of impact.
- Avoid distractions. Talking or texting on your phone while driving is extremely dangerous, particularly on a highway where motorists drive at high speeds. According to the NHTSA, it takes roughly five seconds to read or send a text, equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded at 55 mph.
- Avoid tailgating. Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you can increase the risk of a rear-end accident. Too often, motorists tailgate if they are in a rush, stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, or are simply too impatient to maintain a safe following distance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a good rule of thumb is to leave at least three seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you are tailgating and involved in a rear-end accident, you will most likely be considered at fault.
- Avoid reckless driving or road rage. This includes cutting off other drivers, making unsafe lane changes, and sending rude or offensive gestures to other drivers.
- Use extreme caution when sharing the road with commercial trucks. Due to the massive size of the average commercial truck compared to a passenger vehicle, occupants of passenger vehicles often suffer devastating injuries if involved in a truck accident. Motorists should avoid trucks’ blind spots, use signals appropriately, leave plenty of following distance, and avoid cutting off large trucks.
- Avoid driving in the left lane. The left lane is often considered a passing lane, where vehicles often travel at a higher speed than those in the other lanes of traffic. You should not stay in the left lane if you are not trying to pass a slower-moving vehicle.
- Maximize your visibility. If your vehicle is not visible to other drivers, there is an increased risk of a serious accident. Always turn your headlights on as soon as the sun sets and during inclement weather conditions like rain, sleet, snow, or fog. This will ensure that other motorists see your vehicle, reducing the risk of a serious car accident.
- Familiarize yourself with traffic patterns. Oftentimes, car accidents can occur in areas like SR 48 when motorists are unfamiliar with the area. Inexperienced, newly licensed drivers can become frazzled or unsure about navigating a busy intersection, increasing the risk of a serious car accident. Newly licensed drivers should familiarize themselves with the route, exits, interchanges, how to safely merge into traffic, and how to safely change lanes.
Whether you just passed your driver’s test or have decades of driving experience under your belt, you must follow the rules of the road, avoid behaviors that could increase the risk of a serious car accident, practice defensive driving, and always wear your seatbelt. This is particularly true when driving on roads like SR 48, which can pose certain safety hazards that can increase the risk of a serious car accident.
Cincinnati Car Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office Represent Victims of Car Accidents in Ohio
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a car accident on SR 48 or anywhere in Ohio, do not hesitate to contact the Cincinnati car accident lawyers at Wolterman Law Office. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 513-488-1135 or contact us online. Our office is located in Loveland, Ohio, where we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.