More often than not, we hear of or read about automobile accidents some of which end tragically. Some drivers may have the notion "particularly teen drivers," that they are invincible. Others believe they can multitask while driving such as talking on cell phones, reading, or applying lipstick. Then there are the aggressive drivers who weave in and out of traffic, failing to use signals, ignoring the speed limit, or following to close.

Aside from the different types of drivers, we also travel different types of roads, roads such as rural roads, small towns "urban roads," highways or "motor ways." I have spent the last year observing the behavior of drivers on rural roads. My observation and research have me amazed as to how many drivers take dangerous risks. Driving on a rural road, which is a two lane road with winding curves and hills the driver is limited as to what they can see ahead in addition to the structure of these roads they have also been known to have debris, animal crossings, and stalled automobiles and drivers may not be aware of these obstacles until it is too late.

Rural roads are less traveled giving the driver a false since of security of being safer and with this drivers take dangerous risks such as speeding on these rural roads. It has been my experience that most drivers who are speeding around blind curves tend to cross the yellow center line or take the shoulder to compensate for the over acceleration which results in head on collision or rollover accidents.

While vehicles today have safety devices such as air bags and seat belts, it does not give drivers a license to drive without caution or common since. In my line of work assisting accident experts, I have seen many accidents scenes for example a male teen driver was driving too fast around a blind curve and crossed the center line, and crashed head on with a semi truck. The female passenger in the car was not wearing a seat belt, and thrown from the vehicle. Both driver and passenger died at the scene the semi driver suffered only minor injuries.

My point and case is this tragic accident could have been prevented if the driver had used caution when approaching the curve and obeyed the speed limit. The passengers' life could have been spared if a seat belt had been used. Folks I cannot say this enough, regardless of age do not take risks slow down pay attention to your surroundings, obey the speed limits, and wear your seat belt. These rules may be an annoyance to you, but I believe it is better to be annoyed than be dead.

Reference:
Road Safety, rural road safety http://www.rospa.com/RoadSafety/advice/highway/info/ rural_road_safety_factsheet_0307.pdf

Learn more about this author, Suzanne Mathews.
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