I-15 Accident Highlights Need For Driver Awareness
http://www.iinc.org/articles/310/1/I-15-Accident-Highlights-Need-For-Driver-Awareness/Page1.html
Published on 06/10/2009
The calendar may say June, but the recent pileup on Interstate 15 shows that drivers should never let their guard down to changing weather conditions.
Driving in unseasonably dense fog, dozens of drivers near the Cajon Pass found themselves in the thick of a multi-car pile-up which temporarily closed I-15.
Traveling in Foggy Weather Is Like Driving Blindfolded
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The calendar may say June, but today’s 50-car pileup on Interstate 15 shows that drivers should never let their guard down to changing weather conditions.
Driving in unseasonably dense fog, dozens of drivers near the Cajon Pass found themselves in the thick of a multi-car pile-up this morning which temporarily closed I-15. In changing weather conditions, drivers must take extra precautions to keep themselves and others safe, according to the Insurance Information Network of California.
News reports and fog advisory systems help warn drivers of dense fog, but they don’t eliminate the dangers associated with driving in fog. According to the California Highway Patrol, fog-related accidents resulted in 36 fatalities and 566 injuries in 2007 alone.
“Never take driving conditions for granted,” said IINC Executive Director Candysse Miller. “While warning systems are helpful, ultimately the best safety devices are your own two eyes and common sense.”
IINC recommends the following for driving in foggy weather:
• Drive defensively. Allow plenty of maneuvering room, be aware of other cars and drive at a reduced speed to allow for a safe stopping distance. Avoid crossing traffic lanes.
• Turn on headlights. Other drivers will see headlights of oncoming cars long before they see the car itself, but do not use high-beams. The light from high-beams will reflect off the fog making it more difficult to see. Also, don’t rely on driving lights alone as they are far too dim to be effective in fog.
• Watch the speedometer. Studies have indicated that drivers tend to increase speed over time while driving in fog.
• If visibility decreases, pull off to the side of the road and wait for it to improve.
If involved in an accident, take time to assess injuries, exchange license and insurance information with all drivers involved, call your insurance agent immediately, take pictures of the damage and then move to a safe location.
IINC is a non-profit, non-lobbying insurance communications association. For more information on this and other issues, please visit the IINC Web site at www.iinc.org or follow IINC on Twitter at www.twitter.com/iinc.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
California Highway Patrol
The calendar may say June, but the recent pileup on Interstate 15 shows that drivers should never let their guard down to changing weather conditions.Driving in unseasonably dense fog, dozens of drivers near the Cajon Pass found themselves in the thick of a multi-car pile-up which temporarily closed I-15.
I-15 Accident Highlights Need For Driver Awareness
Traveling in Foggy Weather Is Like Driving BlindfoldedRelated Articles
The Role of Speed In Traffic Collisions
At the Scene of an Accident
The calendar may say June, but today’s 50-car pileup on Interstate 15 shows that drivers should never let their guard down to changing weather conditions.
Driving in unseasonably dense fog, dozens of drivers near the Cajon Pass found themselves in the thick of a multi-car pile-up this morning which temporarily closed I-15. In changing weather conditions, drivers must take extra precautions to keep themselves and others safe, according to the Insurance Information Network of California.
News reports and fog advisory systems help warn drivers of dense fog, but they don’t eliminate the dangers associated with driving in fog. According to the California Highway Patrol, fog-related accidents resulted in 36 fatalities and 566 injuries in 2007 alone.
“Never take driving conditions for granted,” said IINC Executive Director Candysse Miller. “While warning systems are helpful, ultimately the best safety devices are your own two eyes and common sense.”
IINC recommends the following for driving in foggy weather:
• Drive defensively. Allow plenty of maneuvering room, be aware of other cars and drive at a reduced speed to allow for a safe stopping distance. Avoid crossing traffic lanes.
• Turn on headlights. Other drivers will see headlights of oncoming cars long before they see the car itself, but do not use high-beams. The light from high-beams will reflect off the fog making it more difficult to see. Also, don’t rely on driving lights alone as they are far too dim to be effective in fog.
• Watch the speedometer. Studies have indicated that drivers tend to increase speed over time while driving in fog.
• If visibility decreases, pull off to the side of the road and wait for it to improve.
If involved in an accident, take time to assess injuries, exchange license and insurance information with all drivers involved, call your insurance agent immediately, take pictures of the damage and then move to a safe location.
IINC is a non-profit, non-lobbying insurance communications association. For more information on this and other issues, please visit the IINC Web site at www.iinc.org or follow IINC on Twitter at www.twitter.com/iinc.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
California Highway Patrol