Are you preparing to a follow a friend to the place you want to go? Your actions may be making car accidents more likely. Most people are aware that their risks of having an accident can increase when they are driving on a road they are unfamiliar with. This is due to the possibility that they are unaware of all the dangers present on a specific route and the fact that they are probably diverted by road signs, landmarks, etc. and are not paying close attention to the road.
Some folks choose to avoid this by accompanying a friend to the location. After all, they will not have to bother about watching out for signs or anything else if their companion can guide them. It can seem like a wonderful idea, but in reality, it can lead to a number of new problems, including the need to keep track of the car they are following, the potential for getting lost in traffic, and other problems. Additionally, a new study has revealed that all of these factors may combine to increase your risk of being in a car accident.
Read on to find out more about why this is the case, and then contact the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you need to speak with a lawyer after being involved in a car accident. We are here to assist you obtain the monetary compensation you are entitled to, and we provide no-cost legal consultations.
When one car is following another, dangerous conduct is more likely to occur
A motorist is more prone to engage in a number of unsafe actions while he or she is attempting to keep up with the lead vehicle. This includes speedy abrupt lane changes and following too closely.
All of these are designed to keep up with the lead automobile and keep it from escaping their line of sight. However, they are precisely the things that can make you more likely to be involved in an automobile accident.
Consider the results of this recent study
This same situation was examined in a recent study that was published in Frontiers in Psychology to determine what behaviors a person is likely to exhibit when following. The study confirmed what we already knew: People who are following tend to drive more recklessly because they are so afraid of losing sight of the car they are following. The study considered both the individual’s typical driving patterns and the driving patterns of the cars in their immediate vicinity.
Fortunately, there is a safer method
We advise you to ignore your friends’ invitation to simply follow them there if you are driving in an unfamiliar area. Instead, have a look at a map or enter the address into your GPS. In the study mentioned, both of these possibilities were examined and shown to be significantly safer than following another vehicle.
Call the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation if you were hurt in an accident involving a car, truck, bus, or motorbike that was someone else’s responsibility. We can ensure that your rights are upheld.
