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In New Jersey, drivers need to have the skills and techniques necessary to drive everywhere. From busy suburban streets to winding rural roads, drivers need to remain alert always. However, city driving is not the same as rural driving in New Jersey. For example, city driving demands that drivers navigate around parked cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Rural driving, however, involves different obstacles, such as livestock crossing the roads and fallen trees. While it may appear easier to drive on rural roads due to a lack of traffic, it is actually more dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rural car accidents are 2.1 times more likely to result in a fatality than an urban car accidents. Thus, when you drive on country roads throughout New Jersey, it is important to use a different set of driving skills. Fortunately, our attorneys have compiled the following safety tips for you to follow.
Tip One: Do Not Speed
Every driver knows that the speed limit must be obeyed. Yet, on rural roads, you may find yourself tempted to speed, especially on long stretches of road. However, rural roads are more likely to have soft shoulders and undivided lanes. This can cause speeding drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Tip Two: Plan for a Variety of Road Surfaces
If you have ever driven through a rural town, then you know that rural roads are not always paved. For instance, some roads are composed of gravel and sand. Unfortunately, this can make driving a lot more difficult. Therefore, it is important to be able to handle a variety of road surfaces while driving. One way of doing this is by ensuring that your tires can handle different types of road surfaces.
Tip Three: Use Extra Caution When Driving at Night
Along with planning for a variety of road surfaces, you should also develop a strategy for nighttime driving. Often, on rural roads, driving at night can result in serious and fatal car accidents. This is due to rural roads having fewer street lamps or adequate lighting. As such, you may need to use your high beams when driving. However, be careful to lower your high beams when other drivers are approaching. Additionally, dimming your dashboard lights to minimize reflections may help your vision while driving on rural roads.
Tip Four: Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife
From deer to raccoons and everything in between, drivers have a greater chance of hitting wildlife while rural driving in New Jersey. Also, the odds of hitting wildlife are significantly greater at night from 6 to 11 p.m. or in the early morning hours from 4 to 6 a.m. Thus, drivers need to remain alert always and drive cautiously to avoid a collision with an animal.
Tip Five: Plan for a Poor Cell Phone Connection
Often, cell phone reception is poor on rural roads. As such, it is important to have a contingency plan in place. For example, you should never rely solely on your GPS devices to help you navigate while rural driving in New Jersey. Instead, have a backup plan that consists of downloaded or paper maps. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the route before heading out. This will reduce your chances of getting lost.
Contact a New Jersey Car Accident Injury Lawyer
Injured car accident survivors need someone on their side who can fight for their rights after a crash. At Rosner Law Offices, P.C., our New Jersey car accident injury lawyers know how difficult it is to get insurance companies to pay what you need after a collision. Similarly, we know that accidents resulting from rural driving in New Jersey come with their own unique challenges. That is why our attorneys work tirelessly for our clients every step of the way. To take advantage of our hardworking staff, call us today at (856) 502-1655 or fill out our confidential contact form for more information. We offer free consultations and reviews, so please do not hesitate to give us a call. You can also text us with your information for a prompt response.