Rush hour can be one of the most stressful times of the workweek. Morning rush hours see people in a hurry to make it to work on time, and the evening rush hour is filled with fatigued drivers who are anxious to get off the roads and forget the stress of their workday. It’s easy for drivers to fall victim to road rage during rush hour. High tensions combined with stop and go traffic can drive some motorists over the edge. That’s why it’s so important that you stay calm, remain focused, and plan ahead when you know you’re going to be on the road during rush hour. Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have some helpful tips to help make your daily commute smoother and safer.
What Is Rush Hour?
The term ‘rush hour’ refers to periods of the day when traffic is at its highest and most congested. The number of drivers on the road surpasses the road or freeway capacity for vehicles. This usually occurs between the hours of 6am to 9am in the morning and 3pm to 7pm in the evenings. These are the hours when a majority of people are using the same roads to make their way to work or school. As a result, weekdays are more prone to experience the effects of rush hour. However, these peak commute times may vary depending on the region, city, and even season.
Drivers in Las Vegas have to deal with more than just the typical Monday to Friday rush hour commute. As a popular tourist destination, Las Vegas can also experience mass congestion on the weekends. This is due to the number of tourists that make their way in and out of the city. Most tourists choose to travel on the weekend. Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys suggest you take extra caution if you’ll be driving near or around Las Vegas Boulevard or Fremont Street.
Avoidance Is Best
One of the best ways to deal with rush hour traffic is to try your best to avoid it completely. If you do not have to leave your house during peak traffic hours, you should avoid driving or running errands during the times that you notice congested traffic in your area. However, this is not a practical solution for most people.
If you work a job with normal business hours, or have children to shuttle to and from school, avoiding rush hour traffic entirely may not be possible. Still, you can take steps to attempt to mitigate the amount of time you spend in rush hour traffic.
Whenever possible, try to leave for your commute earlier than usual. When you give yourself extra time, you will not feel as rushed and stressed, even if you do end up hitting some traffic. Even as little as 15 minutes can make a significant difference. Running late can cause someone to take more dangerous, and sometimes illegal, risks in their attempt to make it to their destination on time.
Try experimenting by leaving at a few different times throughout the week. Doing this will allow you to see how traffic builds and what time frame works best for you. To make this process go more smoothly, plan out your morning and prepare for the day ahead the night before.
Additionally, you can try to avoid the post-work traffic by not immediately jumping up to join the rush hour traffic at the end of your work day. If your job allows, hang back for a few minutes to allow the worst of the traffic to pass. Finish up some tasks of the day, get a head start on the next day, or bring a book to read to help pass the time.
Take a Different Route
If you know that certain highways and roads on your route are especially susceptible to developing heavy traffic, try taking a different route to avoid the congestion. Experiment with different ways to reach your destination throughout your city. Some alternate routes may be a longer distance than the normal way you, and all the other drivers, take. However, you may find that you reach your destination in less time than the original route because the traffic is moving quicker.
Additionally, switching up your route can help alleviate some of the stress drivers can feel after work by offering a fresh, new experience. Choose a few days of the week to take a little break from your routine and take a different way to and from your destination. For your morning commute, be sure to give yourself extra time to navigate through new routes and traffic.
Safe and Defensive Driving Is a Must
Take the advice of our Las Vegas car accident attorney: always drive defensively any time you get behind the wheel. No matter the state of traffic, safety should always be your number one concern when driving. The stress of rush hour may cause other drivers to take more risks and drive more recklessly than usual. Even in stop-and-go traffic, it’s important that you pay attention to your surroundings. Keep track of the movements of the cars around you. Be sure to leave plenty of room between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
Use your turn signals every time you change lanes, make a turn, or begin to enter or exit the highway. When there are a greater number of drivers around you, it’s imperative you alert them to your intentions before attempting to make a move. Further, be on the lookout for other drivers’ signals. Always be ready to react to sudden, risky maneuvers from other drivers on the road.
While you may be in a rush to escape the work day and traffic, do not speed or swerve in and out of traffic. Drivers that dart between lanes and drivers are putting themselves and others at unnecessary risk. With so many cars on the road, one small mistake could lead to a huge accident.
Avoid Road Rage
It’s no surprise that the high volume of vehicles creeping along can create high tensions in some drivers. These tensions can lead to road rage. According to a study conducted by the U.S. National Highway Safety Administration, rush hour triggers aggressive driving behavior. This can take the form of:
- Excessive honking
- Cutting other drivers off
- Tailgating
- Verbally engaging with other drivers
- Excessive speeding
- Improper use of lanes
These actions put everyone on the road at risk. Instances of road rage can lead to injuries and property damage if things are taken too far. In order to remain safe while driving during rush hour, it’s important to know how to effectively deal with road rage in yourself and other drivers.
If you notice another driver is displaying aggressive driving behaviors, put as much distance between yourself and that driver as possible. If they are travelling behind you, do your best to let them pass you. However, if you’re unable to leave the vicinity of an aggressive driver, do your best to remain calm and focus on driving your vehicle as safely as possible. Remaining calm will allow you to be able to react quickly in case of emergencies.
The nature of rush hour traffic can lead to frustration, anger, and risk taking. If you begin to feel these emotions as you make your commute, try to acknowledge what is happening and remind yourself to remain as calm and patient as possible. Succumbing to road rage will not get you to your destination any faster. On the contrary, taking unnecessary risks can lead to an accident that will slow you down even more.
Find the Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney that will Defend your Rights!
Driving during rush hour can be extremely irritating. However, getting into an accident or receiving a ticket due to impatience or aggressive driving is even more irritating. Avoid putting yourself and others at risk during your rush hour commute by giving yourself extra time, finding different routes, and driving defensively and safely.
If another driver’s negligence, aggressive driving, or risk taking led to an accident involving you, or someone you love, contact Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys! Your case will be handled by a Las Vegas car accident attorney that has the experience and passion to aggressively pursue your due compensation. Give us a call, any time of the day or night, at 844-977-1900. There is always someone available to answer your call. If you prefer to see us in person, stop by our offices between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. Or check out our convenient LiveChat feature.
Our team offers free consultations. You won’t have to concern yourself with any fees until we emerge from your case with a successful verdict. So, don’t hesitate to call and schedule your appointment today!