The warm weather can inspire many Georgia residents to hop in their cars and drive off to fun adventures. A new season can bring new driving challenges that many people might not remember.
Driving is still the most dangerous thing the average person does. From construction to motorcycles and beyond, there are a lot of elements to summertime driving that can make it even more dangerous.
Motorcycles and bicycles
Research says that the number of motorcyclists increased almost 50 percent from 2004 to 2013. Motorcycles often move fast, sometimes even weaving in and out of traffic during busy hours.
Because of their size and speed, motorcycles can be hard to see – and motor vehicle accidents with a motorcyclist can be deadly. The same can be said about cyclists.
Be sure to look both ways a few times and pull out slowly before turning onto a street or opening doors. If you see a motorcyclist or bicyclist out on the road, give them plenty of space so you have time to stop if they suddenly stop.
Summer construction creates hazards
Summer is perfect for construction crews to break ground on new projects. Construction can cause sudden slowdowns that can be hard to predict and navigate once you’re in the construction zone.
It’s important to pay attention to workers and go slow when going through a construction zone. Even if there’s no backed-up traffic, you’ll want to go slowly if there are still workers you can’t see from far away.
It’s important to give yourself extra time with construction or find a different route altogether. Take extra care to avoid distractions; you’ll need to react quickly if traffic suddenly stops.
Increase in pedestrians
More people will just be out and about during warm weather. It’s possible that you’ll see a lot of people jaywalking or crossing the street a moment or two too late.
You might also see pedestrians who are distracted and unaware of their surroundings, especially during large events. There might even be officials redirecting traffic.
Many summertime driving hazards, including pedestrians, can be handled by slowing down and paying attention to your surroundings. There’s no harm in slowing down and enjoying the weather.