Drivers in Louisiana should know that the size of a vehicle is a significant factor in the overall risk of fatality in an accident. Bigger vehicles, including SUVs and trucks, typically do better in crashes than smaller vehicles. This is particularly true in collisions that involve both small and large vehicles.
Familiar roads pose hazards for drivers
Louisiana state law requires passenger vehicle occupants age 13 and over to fasten their seat belts at all times, and the results of studies conducted by road safety advocacy groups and government watchdogs suggest that drivers in the Pelican State would be wise to obey this law. Experts say that motorists who want to reduce their chances of being involved in an accident and wish to avoid serious injuries should remain alert and fasten their seat belts, and this advice may be particularly useful when they are taking short trips on familiar roads.
Survey finds many drivers text behind the wheel
In an online August 2017 survey of about 1,000 drivers, Progressive Insurance found that most thought texting and driving was dangerous and should be prohibited despite many admitting to doing so themselves. Some Louisiana drivers may have been among the 83 percent who said that police should be able to pull drivers over for texting. However, around one-third of respondents reported being "somewhat" or "very" confident in their texting and driving ability.
Why fall driving can be so dangerous
The fall months may create unique dangers for Louisiana drivers. As school gets back in session, there will likely be more cars and buses on the road during the morning and afternoon hours. There may also be increased pedestrian traffic as some kids walk to school. Cooler morning temperatures may mean that drivers encounter fog on their morning commute. This may reduce visibility and increase the risk of an accident.
Collision avoidance system as a standard feature
Car manufacturers in Louisiana and around the country should pay close attention to a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety regarding collision avoidance systems in cars. These systems gained legitimacy due to findings that reveal single-vehicle, side-swipe and head-on car crashes get reduced by 11 percent when drivers operate vehicles equipped with anti-collision systems. Moreover, injury-inducing car accidents get reduced by 21 percent when drivers operate vehicles equipped with anti-crash systems.
