Common Visibility Issues that Lead to Car Crashes
Visibility is the most important aspect of being able to drive. If a driver cannot see what is ahead or what is in front of them, the road becomes even more dangerous for everyone. As safe as drivers try to remain, accidents still can happen due to various visibility issues.
1. Windshield Glare
Windshield glare happens due to a build-up of dirt, oil and other debris. These can be spread across your windshield and make it difficult to see clearly, whether the sun is coming through during the day or someone’s headlights are shining at you during the night. Some simple solutions to reducing windshield glare are:
- Cleaning the interior and exterior of your windshield
- Making sure you always have a sufficient amount of windshield wiper fluid
- Replacing your windshield wipers if necessary
2. Oncoming High Beams
If you are driving at night, you may find yourself partially blinded by the high beams of a careless oncoming driver. The first thing you should not do is look directly into them. Instead, look toward the right side of your lane, whether it’s the white dotted line or the solid shoulder line, while keeping the oncoming vehicle in the corner of your eye. If you need to, gradually slow down until your entire vision is restored.
3. Improperly Adjusted Sideview Mirrors
A vehicle’s side-view mirrors are designed to give the driver an indication of the lanes behind them while minimizing blind spots. Sometimes, they can become misaligned due to age or accidental button pressing. A properly adjusted side-view mirror shows just the slightest bit of your own vehicle.
4. Fog
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), over 38,7000 car accidents are fog-related. When severe enough, fog can create hazardous road conditions as it minimizes visibility. If you find yourself having to drive through fog, keep these tips in mind:
- Reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
- Turn your fog lights on.
- Use your windshield wipers and defrost system to minimize the amount of moisture on your windshield.
- Pay attention to signs and roadside reflectors, as these could help you with turns and bends.
- Do not use high beams, as the lights will reflect off the moisture in the fog.
5. Tailgating
When you drive too closely to the vehicle ahead of you, you do not just create a potentially dangerous scenario for your two cars. You could actually cause an accident with the vehicle ahead of the car in front of you! If the car in front suddenly switched lanes while you were following at a close distance, you may not be prepared to stop in time for the vehicle that was ahead of them.
Ensure you keep a safe following distance at all times so that you can see as much of what is up ahead as possible.
The Nashville Car Accident Attorneys
Since 2014, the team at Witherington Injury Law has been protecting their clients' rights and fighting for their deserved compensation following a car accident. With over 20 years of personal injury experience, we will fight your legal battles so you can focus on your recovery.
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