When traffic is slowed or stopped, you have to pay attention. You might need to start forward and stop again quickly, or what seems like a slowdown might actually be a full stop ahead.
If a driver does not stop for stopped traffic, they can cause serious or fatal injuries. Take, for example, this case out of Minnesota. There was a three-vehicle crash on Highway 169 when a vehicle failed to stop and pushed a second vehicle into the tail end of a semitruck.
The report states that the semi had been traveling north but had to stop for traffic. The vehicle behind it, a Chrysler Town and Country, also stopped. However, an approaching Ford Explorer driven by a 30-year-old woman did not stop.
On impact, the Ford pushed the Chrysler into the rear of the semi. This resulted in a 52-year-old passenger dying and a 57-year-old passenger suffering life-threatening injuries. Both people inside the Chrysler were wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision. Neither the semi nor the Ford’s drivers were injured in the collision.
As the weather worsens throughout the fall and into winter, it’s always important to give yourself and others enough space on the roads. If you don’t take the slick roads into consideration, you could find yourself involved in an accident that could have been prevented. Always stay aware of your surroundings, and be prepared to stop if traffic has slowed down.
Stopping accidents starts with your own driving behaviors. If you are hit, remember to call for assistance and then get the other party’s information.
