When you ask a young driver if they want to drive on the interstate for the first time, odds are high that they’re going to give you a wide-eyed expression and tell you that they’re not sure that they’re ready. They may tell you that it just seems way more dangerous to drive on the highway, and they want to feel safe on smaller roads first.
This feeling is understandable, but the truth is that these drivers are wrong to fear the interstate so badly. It’s actually safer to drive on the interstate than it is to drive on smaller roads.
Why is interstate travel safer?
The fear drivers feel is often because of the higher speeds, and it is true that crashing at a higher speed is generally more dangerous than at a lower speed. What makes the interstate statistically much safer is how you’re far less likely to crash at all.
There are just fewer unexpected factors on the interstate. You don’t have any traffic coming toward you. There are no driveways or smaller cross streets where other cars can suddenly appear. You know exactly where cars are getting on and off due to the signs, and you can plan for it.
Even if you do crash, many interstate accidents are single-car events, such as a driver sliding off of the road on a snowy day, where they don’t hit a fixed object. The two-car accidents are more likely to be side or rear accidents, both of which are safer than head-on crashes.
Have you been injured in a wreck?
All that said, accidents do happen on any type of road. If you have been injured by another driver, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. An experienced attorney here in New Jersey can help you understand more.
