When you’re on the road, the last thing you would expect is for your car to breakdown because of something on the road. While most drivers know to watch out for other cars on the road, looking out for dangerous road conditions is also an important driving safety tip.
Accidents because of road hazards are pretty common, so whether it’s a pothole or maybe just a road in poor condition, it’s always important to stay alert and drive carefully.
Here are 4 potentially dangerous road hazards to avoid:
Pot Holes
Everyone knows that pot holes can damage your tires, but people often underestimate the extent of damage potholes can have on your car. In addition to affecting your tire pressure, potholes can alter wheel alignment, cause uneven tire wear, and even damage your car’s suspension.
Puddles
I admit, I do enjoy the sound of splashing water when I run over the occasional puddle. But driving through puddles is actually extremely dangerous because it is difficult to determine the depth of water and what is potentially hidden underneath the puddle. You never know when a puddle is hiding a deep pothole or some other obstacle on the road that can damage your car. And when it’s raining, driving over standing water can cause hydroplaning, which is extremely dangerous and hard to control.
Animals
Animals such as deer or stray animals can literally pop out of nowhere and while animal-related car accidents are sometimes inevitable when an animal runs onto the road, staying alert can help you avoid hitting an animal that you see afar. Another tip to avoid an animal-related accident is to have an emergency plan. Knowing how to use your emergency breaks and ABS steering may help you make safe and immediate decisions to keep you and your car safe.
Falling Debris
While accidents caused by falling debris are not particularly common, they can happen, and when they do, they often cause catastrophic accidents. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety,debris from other vehicles causes 25,000 accidents and up to 90 deaths a year. From unsecured objects flying off of the back of trucks, to pieces of blown tires, it’s important to be proactive and be on the lookout for falling rocks or flying debris that can damage your car and cause an accident.
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