Unplanned Mishaps
There is always something unplanned that is subject to happen during rush hour. The following events, from fog to low tires, are some that could happen. Once stopped, once in the rush hour, or even if you are just leaving work; what happens if your car does not start! Could it be you need to jump your battery!
Those mentioned may have already happened to you or someone in your family. That being the case, you would like to have that conversation again, using this information as a reminder. Overall, we hope it helps you in having a safer rush hour.
Just to mention rush-hour, each time in a discussion, in a bit of safety in itself. In this section, we will discuss emergency stop procedures, unsafe load awareness, and police stop guidelines, and more, to help you navigate rush hour traffic safely.
Emergency Stop Procedures
During rush hour traffic, sudden stops are common. Knowing how to react in an emergency stop situation can prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe. Be aware of your surroundings, and always be prepared to stop quickly if needed.
Stopping distance is one of those topics that has been re-examined over the years. In times past, it was defined as to say, "visualize a car length for each 10 miles per hour." That is to say, if you were going 60 mph, and a car was in front of you; you should allow 6 car lengths. It has sinse been changed to allow a certain number of seconds for following distances. It is said, for example, for 60 mph, you will need at least 2 seconds to stop. If either measure works for you, that's a step in adding to your safe driving habits.
Emergency stopping can also occur at those incident emergencies whereas you are on the interstate, and there is a pull-over area.
Actually, stopping distances can be complex in itself. It may be a certain calculus for stopping for a pedestrian, stopping for a car ahead going slow, a car coming at you, or if you are going less than or more than 60. Understandably so, very little of the strategy you put forth, if the condition of your brakes, tires, or how long it takes for you to see the predicament is not as it should be.
Unsafe Load Awareness
In rush hour traffic, you may encounter vehicles with unsafe loads that could pose a danger to other drivers. Stay alert and be prepared to react if you see a vehicle with an unstable or oversized load. Keep a safe distance and avoid driving too closely to these vehicles.
If it's not pallets that may be a potential risk for vehicles near that vehicle; it may be:
a. Mattresses on top of a car.
b. A sofa on top of a car.
c. A lawn-care company vehicle with a tree with the root area wrapped, with some of it hanging off the rear of the truck.
d. A flooring contractor with a vehicle too small to accommodate the length of the carpet they are carrying, and it's hanging off the back of the van.
and more...
Police Stop Guidelines
If you are pulled over by law enforcement during rush hour, remain calm and follow their instructions. Have your license, registration, and insurance readily available, and cooperate with the officer's requests. Stay safe and respectful during the stop to ensure a smooth interaction.
Fog
Although fog shows up in different levels, this image shows what it's like driving in fog when you are literally almost restricted to vision of less than 100 feet or so. There is not much you can do in these situations except to slow down. There are potential problems if you stop as well as if you did not. To stop, you may mistakenly pull over to the side of the road and a car in the right lane may mistake you for a moving car and run into the back of you.
I'd say, put into effect the basics for fog prevention and remember to stay very alert. Some measures are:
a. Your vehicle could have fog lights or otherwise (it's those lights that are low on the front of your car, such as in the bumper). They may also be adjusted to point toward the ground as opposed to other lights that point more straight ahead.
b. Do have good working high and low beam lights.
c. Do not expect to know ahead of time when you can stop. Road signs will be almost non-visible to you until you are right at them.
d. Expect drivers in the right lane to be really slowing; and also, expect traffic in the right lane to come up on your rear fast.
e. There are mixed feelings on using your flashers constantly. Both decisions have reasons to choose. If they are on, people behind you may not know when you are breaking. If not on, people will assume you are ok and there is no danger of sorts.
Markings/Signs
Markings and signs are often one in the same. If it's a marking, it may be that there is an arrow on the road telling you to go a certain way. In fact, during the rush hour, most road workers have quit for the day and you (on your way home) will be riding across their day's works. It may be a road-work steel cover over a hole that has a sign saying the basics: "road work ahead." Or, it may be a temporary sign that says "temporary signal", or similar indication.
You may see a sign that you have not seen before or that you are moving so fast, you did not even know what that was all about!
One thing is for sure, it is almost a practice for you to see road working during your rush-hour to work; so you will most likely not see the same signs in the mornings as you have seen in the evenings.
Erratic Drivers
Not all people would say, 'a vehicle that comes up on them at a speed of about 100 mph and passes' is irratic. They would describe the incident another way.
What would you call it. Well, if they were ticketed, they would probably be stated as 'wreckless driving'. There is not much you can do for erratic drivers who come near you. I'd remain in the lane I am in as well as maintain my present speed. The driver who is fastly approaching will try to judge my total position and speed, and pass me based on that assumption. If I change, a collision may occur. Your decision may be different.
A low tire!
You're driving along as many other cars. Thankfully, you are in a slowdown, and guess what! A light on your dashboard indicates one of your tires are low. In times such as these, one would say, do I stop or what!
Well, first of all, you'd want to wait for a safe place to pull over. You now have to contend with decisions as to how far you can go if it is an actual flat tire or just one of your tires that has a slow leak. One thing is for you sure, if it is only a slow leak, it would be good if you had an air inflator. Many people do have them just for times such as these. Now, you should find that safe place to stop. Try to top it off to the required amount of air and safefully proceed to the nearest place you can actually stop for tending to the tire.
These air inflators have been what many have called a lifesaver. In that you can keep them plugged in, they have features that assure they will be ready for use at any given time.
Companies offer package deals that would allow you to have one of these for all vehicles in your household.
Contact Us for More Information
For further information on safe driving practices and tips for navigating rush hour traffic, feel free to reach out to us. Our team is here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.