Avoiding the Pitfalls of Being an LA Driver
Driving in LA is no easy task. Being the 6th most congested city in the US as of this year, getting from point A to point B in perpetual high traffic presents a continuous challenge, even for an experienced driver. This is even more apparent when you consider the many pitfalls and road hazards that you can face if you are a regular driver in LA.
Even after going through the DMV’s rigorous training, you might not be aware of a multitude of risks and complications that can arise on your day-to-day commute to work, university, or any other location in the vast urban space that is Southern California. Avoiding accidents is your top-most priority.
Therefore, let us discuss and analyze some of the most common issues that you would face in LA traffic, how to best avoid them, and how to behave in traffic whether you are a true Angelino or an enthusiastic traveler in passing.
Aggressive Driving
Due to the highly congested nature of the city’s highways and roads, spirits are usually quite tense during rush hour and on ever-popular roads like Santa Monica Boulevard.
Because of this, you might inadvertently face a large number of aggressive drivers suffering from road rage and a general lack of patience – honking at you to move faster at a green light, trying to force you out of the carpool lane, or cutting you off when you attempt to reach the exit at an intersection.
Beyond your average aggressive driver, you should pay close attention to the high number of motorists that populate LA Traffic. It is legally allowed for them to split traffic lanes as they please, oftentimes cutting in front of you without signaling it, which, for inexperienced drivers, can come as a significant shock.
With this information, your best course of action is to remain calm and clear-headed. Respect driver’s regulations, wait your turn in exit lanes, give priority when required, and should you be honked unwarrantedly – take a deep breath and shrug it off. You are not to blame for someone else’s impatience.
Environmental Hazards
LA is not without its own share of extreme weather, and as such, you need to be aware of what your immediate quick-time reactions need to be should you ever find yourself in a climate-caused road hazard.
Rain-caused slides
After a downpour, roads can become increasingly slippery and unstable. If you are not careful enough, especially when turning corners, your tires could slide away from the lane you are currently on, and potentially cause a devastating accident. What most drivers often forget is that road surface will become most slippery during the first few minutes of rain or any other form of precipitation.
The first thing you must do in such a situation is to take your foot off the gas pedal – you need to slow down immediately. Then, slowly and gently steer your car towards a chosen focal point in your immediate front-view. By remaining level-headed, you should be able to seamlessly return your vehicle to its initial position.
Fog-caused confusion
Especially during early morning rides, a foggy highway blurs your entire frontal and peripheral vision, therefore obstructing you from seeing essential markers such as traffic lights or signposts. Moreover, it can make you think that you are going faster than you actually are.
In order to avoid a potential mass-injury, you should follow the pavement line to your immediate right – that way you have a concrete physical marker that tells you just how fast you are actually going. Do not use your bright lights, since the fog will only make them blind you even further, and if you need to stop the vehicle because of low visibility – do so in a remote, congestion-free area.
Being Pulled Over
Driver ethicality is a serious matter in Los Angeles. As a responsible driver, you should never engage in any of the following activities while driving:
- Smoking or Vaping
- Texting
- Littering
- Turning your eyes off the road
Any of the aforementioned offenses will likely result in a law-enforcement officer pulling you over and handing you a severe fine for your unethical driver’s behavior. Certain offenses can even lead to your driver’s license being withheld and suspended. Although it is natural to think that one second away from the road is safe to afford, past events have proven that that’s all it takes to find yourself involved in something bigger than you have ever expected.
Staying Legally Informed
With all the above-outlined information, your final piece of advice is to always stay informed regarding the legal actions and measures that are taken in road accidents caused by driver’s negligence and unsafe behavior.
Since there are no two car accidents that are identical, professional help is of the utmost importance in establishing your legal options.
Therefore, a local attorney that specializes in car accident claims, such as Pintas and Mullins Injury Lawyers, can freely inform you of all of the legal specifications that pertain to your driving-related issue.
With their expertise and counsel, you will be able to find the optimal solution to your worries, obtain appropriate compensation, and enter LA traffic with a completely new outlook regarding its pitfalls and many health hazards.
Final Thoughts
Having all of this in mind, you should be more than ready to begin your fully-prepared sojourn into LA traffic the next time you need to take the car out – be that during a busy afternoon, after a powerful storm, or when you are carpooling along with a rule-breaking friend.
More than that, your legal due diligence and proactive behavior will save you a lot of time, stress, and potentially your own life. All in all, although driving around LA is certainly more demanding than many other places with a more relaxed traffic situation, a driver should always take all precautionary measures and always keep their eyes on the road, no matter the location or destination. Happy Driving!