In Which Freeway Lane Do Most Accidents Occur?

The many benefits of driving where you need to go are balanced out by some degree of risk, partly because of the many factors that can contribute to vehicle accidents. Not all of them are controllable or predictable, but what you can do is be a safer and more informed driver. The professionals at Altra Insurance Services, the premier providers of auto insurance San Diego drivers trust for reliable, high-quality service, help you out with this goal below by diving into the topic of the freeway lane likely to have the most accidents.

Surprisingly, It’s Not the “Fast” Lane

If you were to take a shot at answering the question posed above, you might be tempted to guess the left lane has the most accidents. Often referred to as the “fast” lane, it’s the freeway lane where drivers tend to be going faster—hence the name. This is also the lane often used for passing. The combination of higher speeds and a lot of passing activity does certainly contribute to accidents in this lane. However, it’s not the place where the most accidents tend to occur on freeways. Still, it’s worth noting that left-lane accidents tend to be more serious.

Be Careful in the Right/Merging Lane

If we’re talking about a multilane highway, the lane where merging takes place (typically the right lane) is the one where the most accidents occur. The Department of Transportation points out there are approximately 300,000 merging-related accidents each year in the United States, and around 50,000 of them include fatalities.

Merging is especially risky mainly because of the need to be extremely alert and aware of other drivers’ actions at all times. Common merging-related accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Accidents involving blind spot issues
• Side-swipe vehicle accidents
• Accidents due to merging too quickly in front of larger vehicles

Multilane Freeways Are Also Risky

If you’re driving on a two-lane freeway or expressway, there’s a reduced accident risk, since it’s easier to keep an eye on traffic flow and drivers’ behaviors. Multilane freeways and highways are considered riskier because of the possibility of being in a double accident. For example, if you suddenly swerve to avoid a careless driver, this action may cause you to have an accident. Then while your vehicle is stopped due to the accident, another driver may slam into your car.

Be a Safe & Prepared Freeway Driver

Regardless of the lane you’re using while on a freeway, it’s always a good idea to be a safe, alert, and prepared driver. This is even more important on freeways because of the higher speeds and merging activity. Reduce your accident risk while on freeways by:

• Using your turn signal and taking other steps necessary to safely merge
• Avoiding driver distractions so you remain fully aware and observant
• Being aware of risky weather-related conditions
• Avoiding freeways during busier times of the day if possible
• Passing other vehicles on the left
• Being cautious when driving behind larger commercial vehicles

It’s important to make sure you purchase high-quality car insurance to protect yourself in the event of an accident. If you need affordable, reliable car insurance, look no further than the trustworthy pros at Altra Insurance Services. We can take care of a variety of your insurance needs, including motorcycle, homeowners, business and auto & car insurance Chula Vista. Give us a call today at (619) 404-6311 to find out more about our high-quality insurance products and impeccable service.