How the State of Indiana Can Reduce Its Number of Road Accidents during the Busy Season

Although you might not think Indiana is a popular tourist destination, in recent years, this state has become appealing to many tourists. Many are exploring new destinations as they want to give less popular places a chance. Usually, most tourists head to Florida or California but completely overlook what other states have to offer. 

Every year, Indiana faces a busy season on the roads, especially during the summer and holidays. This is quite a busy season for local businesses, and it helps improve the overall economy.

But with more people traveling, going on vacation, or visiting family, the number of cars and trucks on the road increases. This often leads to more accidents, especially on rural roads and during peak hours. Road accidents can cause injuries, damage to vehicles, and even deaths. That is why Indiana needs to find ways to make the roads safer during the busy season.

The state of Indiana has noticed this trend and is already trying to tackle the problem and address it properly. In the next lines, we’ll take a look at what Indiana can do and how its residents can help. 

Better road maintenance

One of the most important ways to reduce accidents is to take care of the roads. Basic road maintenance is often overlooked, or it simply gets pushed back to the end of the list. Potholes, uneven pavement, and poor road signs can make driving dangerous. 

Have in mind that tourists are often not familiar with the roads and they’re more vulnerable to car accidents than residents who regularly pass the same intersections every day.  On average, there are more than 45,000 fatalities every year as a result of motor vehicle accidents, and many of these happen when people are well acquainted with the road. 

When drivers try to avoid a pothole or cannot see signs clearly, accidents can happen. The state should invest in regular road checks and fix problems before the busy season begins. Making sure that all traffic signs are visible, especially at night, is also very important. Clear lane markings and signs help drivers know where to go and what to expect.

Things get extra tricky when tourists end up in a car accident in a different state. That means the regulations can be completely different so consulting a car accident attorney might be the best solution in such situations. 

More police on the roads

During the busy season, there should be more police officers patrolling the roads. When drivers know that police are nearby, they are less likely to speed, drive while using a phone, or break other traffic laws. Unfortunately, sometimes this is the only way to discourage people from breaking traffic laws. 

More patrol cars on highways and near popular tourist spots can stop unsafe driving and reduce crashes. Police can also help with traffic control when there is heavy traffic or during big events, which helps keep things moving smoothly and safely.

Busy intersections should also be patrolled at night or late evenings when people might be coming back from a night out. 

Public awareness campaigns

Apart from making sure the roads are well-maintained, it’s important to educate the public as well and bring attention to the problem. The state can also reduce the number of accidents by teaching people about safe driving. 

Before and during the busy season, Indiana can run public awareness campaigns to remind people to wear seat belts, avoid drinking and driving, and not use their phones while driving. 

These messages can be shown on billboards, TV, radio, and social media. Sometimes, people forget basic safety rules when they are in a hurry or distracted. Simple reminders can make a big difference. 

Better traffic flow and planning

During the busy season, traffic jams are common, especially in big cities, near tourist areas. Traffic jams can cause stress and lead to aggressive driving or crashes. Traffic jams have a really negative effect on people’s behavior and can really bring out the worst in drivers. 

Indiana can reduce this by planning better traffic flow. That means using smart traffic lights, opening extra lanes when needed, and guiding drivers with electronic signs that show traffic updates. 

The state can also encourage people to use less crowded roads or travel at less busy times. For example, if everyone drives on Friday at 5 pm., the roads will be packed. But if some people leave earlier or later, the traffic will be lighter and safer.

Preparing for bad weather

Anyone living in Indiana knows how the weather can change quickly. Rain, fog, and even early snow can make driving more dangerous(and they often do). The state should make sure that weather alerts are working well and that road crews are ready to handle bad conditions. 

Drivers should be reminded to slow down and turn on their lights in bad weather. Electronic signs on highways can also warn about slippery roads or accidents ahead, giving drivers more time to react.

Drivers should also drive carefully and pay even more attention to the road ahead. It’s important to adjust your speed accordingly and follow all the traffic rules. 

The key takeaways

To ensure Indiana can keep up with the surge in the number of tourists, it needs to make sure its roads are ready to handle the high frequency of vehicles. The busy season brings more people, more traffic, and more chances for road accidents unfortunately. 

But these accidents are not something the local authorities should have to accept. There are many ways to make the roads safer, from fixing potholes to teaching drivers about safety. By using better planning, enforcing strong laws, and educating the public, Indiana can reduce accidents and protect the lives of everyone on the road. When the state and its people work together, the roads can be a safer place for all.