Staying Safe on Evansville Highways

I-69 (also known as the Robert D. Orr Highway), I-64, US Highway 41 — these are roads that you likely take at least once a week when navigating around Evansville. With people commuting farther and farther from home, the interstate has become an extremely common means of transportation for most Americans. It is typically a quicker option than back roads because of the multiple lanes and faster speed limits. However, as convenient as this means of transportation may be, the increased speed and number of vehicles can make it a dangerous place to drive if you fail to pay proper attention.

No matter how often you use the highway, it is important that you keep these necessary safety tips in mind.

Keep Right

The general rule is that the right lane is for slower driving, and the left lane is for passing.  This rule is in place to maintain an order on the road so that cars avoid driving right next to each other for unnecessary periods of time. If you are driving in the left lane without any intention of passing, you may anger other drivers which could lead to unnecessary aggression.  On some roads where there are more than two lanes, the rules are a little less strict. In fact, on July 1, 2015, a law went into effect in Indiana that required slow vehicles to move out of the left lane if they weren’t keeping up with the speed of traffic.

Keep a Safe Distance

The general rule here would be to keep at least two car lengths from the car in front of you. On the interstate, cars are traveling about 70 miles per hour. If the car in front of you has to hit their brakes with little notice, it is important that you have enough time to react. If you are less than two car lengths away when they hit their brakes, you could hit them.

Watch Your Speed

While you can generally drive faster on the highway than you might on other roads, it is still important to follow the speed limit. Remember, you are sharing the road with others, each of them also traveling at speeds greater than 50 miles per hour. Be sure to travel the speed posted for both your safety and the safety of others. On many Evansville highways, this tends to be 70 miles an hour. However, it is important to remain alert to the signs in case the speed limit changes. Be sure to lower your speed when necessary in cases of bad weather or road conditions.

Make Sure You Can See

Before you get on the interstate, maximize your visibility. Be sure your seat is high, your back is straight, and your mirrors are appropriately adjusted. Driving on the interstate forces you to make decisions quickly, whether it be to change lanes or exit. It is important that you can see all these areas of the road at all times to make these quick decisions.

Be Alert

As mentioned before, conditions on the interstate can change quickly. It is important that you remain alert so that you can react in a timely fashion. Be sure to be well-rested before you drive on the interstate.

Help from an Evansville Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured because someone failed to exercise caution on the interstate, you could be entitled to compensation. Call Hensley Legal Group today for a free consultation, or contact us online.