Drivers in West Virginia are accustomed to winter weather on the roads, but there are a few tips that they can keep in mind to stay safe. Sometimes, it seems as though winter weather can encroach upon an area with little warning. Fortunately, many vehicles have new technology to help in keeping the vehicle and driver safe while many drivers are able to carefully maintain control of the steering wheel while on the road.
Tips for safe driving in bright sunlight
The following are a few proven safety tips that drivers in West Virginia can consider the next time they are traveling in direct sunlight. The early mornings and late afternoons are especially dangerous as the brightness of the rising or setting sun can cause visual illusions. Individuals raise their risk of a life-threatening accident by 16 percent when driving in such conditions.
2017 saw rise in fatal large truck crashes, says NHTSA
Large trucks continue to be a danger to other drivers in West Virginia. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that in 2017, all types of traffic fatalities declined in number except large truck crash fatalities. Whether or not truckers or the other side are to blame for most of these accidents is another matter, though one worthy of consideration.
AAA finds drivers overestimate the power of car safety tech
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that many drivers in West Virginia and across the U.S. are relying too heavily on their car safety features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. While car safety features can, according to federal estimates, reduce the number of car crashes by 40 percent and crash-related deaths by 30 percent, they can still backfire when drivers do not understand their limitations.
The problem with overconfidence behind the wheel
As a general rule, motorists in West Virginia and throughout the country feel as if they are good drivers. In fact, Americans tend to be even more confident about their abilities than those in other countries. One study found that about 90 percent of Americans thought that they were above average in terms of driving safely. The same study found that a little more than 75 percent of Swedes felt the same way.
Traffic circles can reduce injury crash numbers
When people in West Virginia drive on rural roads, they could encounter some very dangerous intersections. Despite the fact that these roads see relatively little traffic, the crashes that occur there can be serious for a number of reasons. These roads are commonly joined by only stop signs. However, they can have speed limits as high as 55 mph.
Study suggests distracted driving is a multigenerational problem
Millennials and Gen Zers in West Virginia and other parts of the country routinely are accused of being the group of drivers most likely to be distracted while behind the wheel. However, a Harris Poll study conducted with a leading car manufacturer suggests drivers in other generations may be just as likely to not be entirely focused on the road when driving. The results, based on two separate 2,000-subject studies, show that 90 percent of all individuals surveyed agree that there are more possible driver distractions today than what was common just five years ago.
Study shows safety issues with assisted driving systems
According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, cars and trucks with electronic driver assist systems could potentially steer into parked vehicles or other hazards on the road. The report, which looked at vehicles manufactured by Tesla, BMW, Volvo and Mercedes, showed that assisted driving systems could both save lives and cause accidents. The chief research officer of the study stated that it's imperative for drivers in West Virginia using these systems to pay attention to the road at all times.
How drivers in West Virginia can avoid accidents
Drivers can do many things to reduce their risk for an auto accident, but it must begin before they get on the road. Vehicle maintenance is key because it improves steering, handling and acceleration. Good tires and brakes are especially important because they reduce stopping distance.
Newly licensed teens may be risky drivers
Teen drivers in West Virginia and across the country may be at their most dangerous to themselves and others on the road in the first months after obtaining their driver's licenses, according to one study. When teens have a learner's permit, they are required to be accompanied in the car by a parent or other adult. However, once they receive their licenses, they are able to drive alone. This shift from accompanied to solo driving can be more difficult than anticipated.
