Tips to stay safe on Texas highways

Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to get anywhere in San Antonio without driving on IH 35, I-10 or Highway 281 for at least part of the way. This is especially true if you are heading out of town. Driving on the highway is drastically different from diving on city streets. For one, traffic moves much faster. In addition, you have to constantly watch what is going on in front, behind and on each side of you.

It takes practice and skill in order to navigate highway traffic safely. Here are some tips to help you stay safe.

Give yourself space

One of the best things you can do to avoid a wreck on the highway is to keep your distance from other vehicles. In other words, refrain from following to closely to the car in front of you. Also, try to avoid lingering next to other automobiles, especially semitrucks. By keeping some distance from other traffic, you will give yourself time to react if anything unexpected happens on the road.

Pay attention to your mirrors

Take full advantage of your side and rear view mirrors while you are on the highway. These tools will help you keep track of what is going on around you so that you can make decisions. For example, if you are planning to change lanes, you can check your rear view mirror to make sure there are not any fast approaching cars coming from behind.

Keep it steady

When you are traveling on the highway, you should do what you can to maintain a steady speed if possible. Stay with the flow of traffic when you can instead of continuously speeding up and slowing down. If traffic is light and you have a long way to go, consider using your cruise control so that you can more easily maintain the posted speed limit.

While the above tips can help you stay safe on the highway, sometimes it is not possible to avoid a collision. If you have been the victim of a negligent driver, you might be able to file a claim for your injuries and the damage to your car.