Living in Richmond, you’re familiar with the winding roadways and tough tight patches of road in the area. You know that you have a busy highway to take into Lexington or other cities, Interstate 75. Though you do your best to stay safe, there are many crashes that happen, and it’s not always possible to avoid them.
It’s worth mentioning that approximately one in three car crash deaths happens in a speeding collision. Another one in three crashes are caused by or involve drunk driving. Over two million people are hurt annually in crashes, and you could end up being one of them.
The good news is that there are some techniques you can use to stay safer on the roads. Here are some tips for handling the winding backroads of the country and the busy highway out of town.
- Slow down
Regardless of where you’re traveling, you need to slow down. This is particularly important in the winding roads of Richmond, though, because as you go up into the mountains or descend into valleys, you’ll notice that the roads can be narrow. Some of the edges have no shoulders or steep drops. Slow down, so you can make better decisions in these tighter spaces.
- Watch out for large vehicles
Whether you’re on the highway or deeper into Richmond, you’ll find that larger vehicles have a harder time maneuvering and may even take up some space in your lane. In the winding roads that are narrow, it might be tough to get by, especially when there is no shoulder. If you and another driver cannot pass safely at that point in the roadway, at least one of you should back up into a driveway or to an area where the road is wider. That way, you’ll have space to pass and won’t risk a side-swipe crash.
- Be prepared for busy roads
Finally, be prepared for busy roads. During rush hour in the morning and afternoon, people may be speeding up to get to work, school or home. Be patient, and take your time.
These are three tips to help you avoid crashes in Richmond and on I-75. If you are hit, remember to call 911 and seek help.