If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic for ages, only for the logjam to finally end near the sight of a minor fender bender, you aren’t alone. Many traffic jams on the interstate aren’t caused by major collisions, but are instead caused by “rubbernecking,” which is a term that describes people who slow down and pay more attention to the accident scene than the road ahead of them.
Rubbernecking isn’t just an effective way to slow down traffic, it’s also dangerous. The next time you drive near a crash scene, keep these tips in mind to stay safe:
- Be on alert for emergency vehicles arriving or leaving: When you’re driving near a crash scene, there’s a chance an ambulance, fire truck, rescue vehicle, or police cruiser may be nearby. Whether it’s arriving or leaving, you should be prepared to move over or pull over, or slow down or stop to make way.
- Call for help if the accident just happened: If you arrive at a crash scene that just occurred, your next actions may save someone’s life. First, pull over to a safe location and call 911 right away. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher where the crash occurred, how many vehicles are involved, and the conditions of the victims, if known.
- Don’t be distracted: If you’re passing a crash scene where emergency responders have already arrived, resist the temptation to look at what’s happening. Rubbernecking can be even more dangerous than texting while driving, even when driving at slow speeds. The last thing you want to do is cause an accident because you were distracted by a different crash.
If you’re ever injured in a crash caused by a rubbernecker, a texter, a speeder, or any other driver who doesn’t take their responsibility to safety seriously, we want to help. Contact the Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce Law for a free consultation.
