Stop signs should be used to control the flow of traffic and make certain streets safer. It’s odd, then, that so many accidents happen at stop signs in Tennessee. You may not be able to prevent other people from driving incorrectly, but there are steps you can take to lessen your part in causing accidents. Below are four simple strategies you can use to reduce the possibility of stop sign accidents and increase your chance of getting to your destination safely.
Don’t be Polite – Be Right
There’s a strange sense of politeness at intersections in parts of Tennessee, and it can get someone hurt. You may think you’re doing something very nice by letting another person go before you, but what you’re really doing is messing up the flow of traffic. If you really want to avoid an accident a stop sign, make sure that you go when it’s your turn. Remember that you get to go first if you arrived at the stop sign before the other party and that the person on the right gets to go first if you arrived at the same time.
Be Present
It can be very difficult to take care of problems in a car. Many people make use of stop signs as a catch-all place for dealing with anything that’s too dangerous to deal with while in motion. While this instinct is natural, it’s still something that can get you hurt. If there’s a problem that has to be taken care of before you arrive at your destination, pull over out of the flow of traffic and take care of it. If the problem can wait, leave it alone. You should only be at a stop sign long enough to satisfy the law and stay safe.
Put Down the Phone!
You should never use your phone while driving. Every time you look down at your phone, you put yourself in danger of causing an accident. If you must have your phone on, make sure that you use a hands-free setting. Remember, a stop sign is not a good place for you to check your text messages or respond to an email. The road is no place for using a phone, even if you think you can get away with it. Save it for when you arrive – put the phone away.
Use Your Best Judgment
Finally, use your best judgment when you are dealing with other drivers. Do you think that the other party is going to go through the stop sign? If so, make sure you stop. It’s good to be right, but it’s much better to be safe. Always pay attention to the people around you and adjust your driving to suit the situation. With a little extra patience, you’ll be able to avoid the accidents that others are willing to cause. Your safety should always be your paramount concern.
While you can’t prevent all accidents, you can take steps to lessen your role in them. Pay attention and make sure that driving is your sole focus when you are in a car. If you take responsibility, you can make the road safer for everyone. Whether you are driving in Tennessee or you are driving elsewhere, the rules of stop signs won’t change – and neither should your actions when stopped.
