Road Safety in Indiana: Most Common Concerns for Drivers and Pedestrians

With an increased volume of traffic, road safety is becoming a major concern, especially during peak hours when the traffic volume is at its highest (for instance, when people are commuting to work in the mornings). That’s why it’s important for authorities to raise awareness about the issue and educate their residents.

On the other hand, it’s also important for those everyday commuters to understand the dangers of reckless driving and remember to always keep their eyes on the road.

In the next lines, we’ll discuss the most common threats to road safety in Indiana which will hopefully help you keep an eye out for these potential risks and avoid them before it’s too late. 

Why is road safety a rising problem

There almost isn’t a country today that isn’t dealing with some sort of road safety concerns. In the case of Indiana, the high number of traffic accidents per year have been concerning. Just in 2022, there were more than 200,000 traffic accidents reported. 

The number has, of course, increased since and the upward trend is definitely not something to neglect. If the number continues to increase, it will be even harder to eliminate the issue in the long run.

Additionally, it seems that drivers seem to forget the importance of safe driving. Distracted and reckless driving are ongoing concerns and the consequences of such actions are long-term and detrimental to the injured parties. 

Common causes of accidents in Indiana 

In order to be able to recognize the threats on time and realize the importance of safe driving, it’s important to first be aware of the common causes of accidents. 

Once you’re able to understand the major risks on the road, whether you’re a driver or merely a pedestrian, you’ll pay more attention to the road ahead and avoid all the potential threats. 

Distracted driving

Distracted driving, particularly due to smartphone use (texting, calling, browsing the Internet), is a leading cause of accidents in Indiana. Not paying attention while driving can result in rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and other types of accidents.

This has become a growing concern and not just for Indiana. Drivers all around the world are becoming less focused on the driving itself and more on their multimedia devices. 

Even a short distraction such as changing the radio station can result in a fatal crash, especially if you’re an inexperienced driver and still not able to react quickly. 

The state of Indiana has recognized the issue early on and to help reduce instances of distracted driving, on July 1, 2020, Indiana became the 22nd state in the nation to pass a hands-free device driving law.

Truck accidents

Another threat to road safety is definitely the increase in the number of truck accidents across the USA, Indiana included. In the last couple of years, trucks have become an important part of the world’s economy as they help transport goods across different states. 

However, trucking companies sometimes fail to abide by Indiana rules and guidelines of safe driving practices and this leads to fatalities. And, as you can imagine, a truck accident can cause much more damage than the typical passenger vehicle crashes we see daily.

The aftermath of such an accident is also a tough thing to deal with as the consequences are much larger, especially for the injured parties. 

Many of the truck accident victims are not able to navigate the legal system alone, especially with insurance companies involved. That’s why many seek a truck accident injury attorney to get the legal support they need.

To minimize the number of these accidents, it’s important for trucking companies to give their drivers enough time to rest and recover and also to ensure their drivers get regular medical check-ups so that they’re fit to drive long hours. 

Poor road conditions

Indiana’s roads can suffer from wear and tear, especially after harsh winters. The weather conditions can significantly affect the quality of roads.

Potholes and uneven surfaces can cause accidents,especially for motorcycles and smaller vehicles. Poor road maintenance can also lead to dangerous conditions such as hydroplaning during heavy rain.

With such a wide network of highways and intersections, it’s difficult to fix every issue as soon as it pops up. However, when it comes to extremely busy intersections, it’s important to ensure they’re well-maintained with all the safety measures put in place, such as traffic lights, speed slowing devices, etc. 

It’s the responsibility of Indiana’s authorities to take care of this issue and introduce regular road maintenance to ensure all their roads (namely the most frequented ones) are safe for both drivers and pedestrians. 

Also, all roads need to have working traffic lights, visible zebra crossings and traffic signalization to ensure pedestrians are safe as well.

The final word: Ensuring road safety for all

Hopefully, you’re now more educated on the importance of ensuring road safety in Indiana. As the number of commuters grows higher by the day, it’s necessary for all to adopt safe driving practices and stay focused on the road. 

Distracted driving, fatigued truck drivers and poor road maintenance all present a threat to Indiana’s transportation system and each of these issues needs to be individually addressed. Dedicated safety practices need to be put into place to help tackle each issue. 

Drivers need to realize that even the smallest second when they’re not paying attention to the road can easily provoke a car accident. And truck companies need to take it upon themselves to make sure their drivers get everything they need to drive safely.