Safe Driving Tips for Baton Rouge Traffic

Ask any Baton Rouge resident, and they can tell you a few things that our city is synonymous with: the state capital, LSU, and traffic. Heavy braking, rubberneck delays, and poorly designed infrastructure all contribute to regular traffic headaches. Beyond simply frustrating, however, these commonly occurring traffic jams can also be dangerous to drive in, and when accidents occur, they cannot only result in injury or damages, they also contribute to the ever-growing problem. As a driver in the Baton Rouge area, cautious driving is an absolute necessity, and the following tips can help ensure that you and your passengers navigate this traffic gauntlet safely.

Keep Calm During Heavy Traffic

Being stuck in a traffic jam is enough to try anyone’s patience, and when we become impatient, we tend to make more impulsive decisions. It’s easy to speed around slower cars, switch lanes quickly, follow too closely to vehicles that aren’t keeping the pace. However, keeping a cool head and avoiding such maneuvers can help you avoid an accident that will cost you far more time and frustration in the end.

Keep Your Focus on the Traffic Ahead

It can be easy to focus on what is directly in front of you, but keeping a watchful eye on what’s happening up ahead is important too, particularly in heavy traffic. When you see brake lights two or three cars ahead, begin to decelerate in preparation. Just this one simple act can help avoid a situation where you must brake suddenly and a potential rear-end collision.

Follow Cars Ahead at a Safe Distance

When the traffic is congested, it can be tempting to follow too closely. However, this is yet another situation that can put you in a precarious situation for a sudden collision. Stick to the old rule you learned in driver’s education to allow at least 3 seconds between your own car and the one directly in front of you. A moving vehicle doesn’t stop as quickly as you may think, and those 3 seconds can make the difference between hitting the brakes or hitting the vehicle in front of you.

Remember What You Learned in Driver’s Education

Just like the 3 second rule, there are a lot of rules learned initially that seem to eventually fall by the wayside for many drivers. Go back to the basics by making sure your mirrors are properly adjusted, keeping both hands on the wheel, and using blinkers to signal your intent to turn or make a lane change at least 100 feet before doing so. You would be surprised just how much these simple rules can help and how easily many accidents can be avoided by using them.

We fully understand the frustration that can come with Baton Rouge traffic, but it’s important to not let this frustration impact safe driving practices. Of course, it’s impossible to control other drivers on the road, and unfortunately, many will find themselves in an accident that is due to the negligence of another at some point in time. If this happens to you, don’t be rattled. Focus on what you can control: selecting a collision center that will repair your car back to its pre-loss condition and help you navigate the insurance claim process as needed.  Just like those old driving rules can make a big difference in keeping you safe on the road, choosing a body shop like Medines can make a big difference in getting you back on the road.