Riding a bicycle can be dangerous at any time, but some instances make it especially risky. For example, biking on the road or near traffic can result in a collision that proves fatal or leads to a devastating injury. Moreover, riding a bicycle near traffic at certain times, such as foggy weather or during the night, can be even more dangerous because of the poor visibility. As a bicyclist, it is vital for you to do what is necessary to protect yourself on the road and reduce the chances of a crash.
Bicycle safety at night
Even low-speed car crashes can be dangerous
When some people think of devastating car crashes, they may picture collisions which occur at high speeds. While these accidents are extremely dangerous, of course, it is important to remember that even when crashes take place at relatively low rates of speed, the outcome can be terrible. Low-speed accidents can leave drivers and passengers with injuries, some of which can be very serious, and they can also lead to the loss of life. As a result, it is crucial for drivers to be vigilant whenever they are behind the wheel, even if they are driving slowly.
Driving with tunnel vision
On the road, there are all sorts of reasons why drivers can pose a serious threat to their own safety and the safety of everyone else. Alcohol intoxication, sleepiness and the use of a phone are just some of the ways in which drivers exhibit careless and reckless behavior. However, some people may have an increased chance of causing an accident due to vision issues, such as those who have tunnel vision. Tunnel vision can be especially dangerous because it involves the loss of peripheral vision, which can be vital when it comes to avoiding an accident and being aware of hazards on the road.
What is an attractive nuisance?
Your worst nightmare as a parent may be to have your child ignore your warnings about avoiding dangerous situations and suffering a serious injury or even death because of it. Yet how can you blame them; they are kids, after all, and they lack the knowledge and experience to discern what might be dangerous and what is not. A swimming pool, a drainage canal or an abandoned building may seem to them to be exciting attractions, when you know that they can potentially cause serious injuries if kids are allowed to play in such areas unsupervised.
Looking at office-related injuries
When people think of work-related injuries, they may picture people who are hurt while working in a dangerous occupation. For example, they may envision an injury that occurs on a construction site. However, it is important for people employed in all fields to keep in mind that although many jobs may seem relatively safe and free from the risk of suffering a workplace injury, various hazards may be present. For example, someone employed in an office may be hurt after tripping on a cord, falling on a wet surface or some other type of accident.
When accidents occur during an emergency situation
Driving during any time of day or under any circumstances can be dangerous and an accident may take place. With this being said, certain occasions can present an even higher level of risk. For example, those who are on the road during an emergency situation may be even more likely to become involved in a motor vehicle collision. For example, driving during a natural disaster or when there is widespread panic can be very dangerous. Even if you focus on road safety and avoiding a crash during this time, other drivers, especially those who are under a great deal of duress, may not be so vigilant.
Brain damage following a motor vehicle wreck
While there are a number of different injuries that victims of car accidents may suffer, brain injuries are especially concerning for a variety of reasons. Not only can these injuries be more difficult to detect, but they can shatter a victim’s life in many ways, some of which may be permanent. If a reckless driver has caused you to sustain a traumatic brain injury, or you suspect that you may have suffered a concussion during a collision, it is important to know what legal options you may have and make sure that you do all you can to recover physically, mentally and from a financial angle as well.
High traffic congestion, rural roads and fatal crashes
It is important to keep in mind that while urban areas with high traffic congestion may see a large number of motor vehicle accidents, accidents that occur in these locations are not necessarily more likely to result in fatalities or serious injuries. Sadly, some areas which do not see nearly as much traffic may have actually had quite a few deadly accidents take place. If you drive in either of the two areas, it is important to be aware of the different risks you face every time you get behind the wheel.
Technology and distracted driving
Many different distractions can create dangers on the road, prompting a driver to swerve into another lane or collide with a vehicle in front of them because they are not paying attention. In the digital era, there are even more distractions that divert the attention of drivers, including smartphones, handheld devices, GPS systems and so on. Drivers may use these devices to watch videos, capture content, communicate with others or even get directions. Sadly, they can lead to a deadly crash.
Ignoring the road to stare in a rearview mirror
Some of the more commonly-recognized forms of distracted driving include using a cell phone to text, take pictures or browse the web, turning the radio station and eating food while behind the wheel. However, there are many other examples of potentially dangerous distractions that can divert the attention of drivers. In fact, some may not even seem dangerous and may even be connected to safe, responsible driving. For example, using a rearview mirror properly is an important part of safe driving. However, a driver who stares in his or her rearview mirror for too long, for whatever reason, may be more likely to collide with another vehicle or veer off of the road and cause a single-vehicle crash.
