It’s no secret that California freeway traffic conditions can be challenging. A recent Caltrans report, which details the level of road congestion annually, shows the five points of highest congestion in California, all of which are in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
At the top of the list of problematic California freeway traffic conditions is a 6-mile portion of Interstate 5 in Norwalk between freeways 710 and 605. At any hour of the day, Monday through Sunday, this area is a sea of red tail lights as cars drive at a turtle’s pace or is stand still without moving at all.
What Time Is “Rush Hour” in Los Angeles and Orange County?
Vehicular traffic is usually heavy on motorways during the entrance and exit routes to jobs and schools. Weekday rush hours are usually from 7am to 10am in the mornings and in the afternoon from 4pm to 7pm. On weeknights or weekends transiting to and from the city center and Hollywood can also be a bit difficult.
Best Ways to Avoid Traffic
- Plan ahead
When you are going to use an offramp or fast lane, do not wait until the last minute to do it. You do not have to do it miles in advance, but maneuvering in advance keeps the traffic flowing.
- In the middle of traffic, in the middle of the lanes
Often enough, vehicular congestion occurs because drivers are trying to change lanes. This causes unnecessary congestion, so if you do not plan to leave the freeway where you are, stay in the fast lane or in the middle. When you approach your exit, simply join the exit lane.
- Anticipate the slow downs in the streets
If there are several lanes in the same direction, choose the center one because the other vehicles can be stopped by the cars crossing to the right and to the left. If there are only two, look forward to see if there are signs that slow the traffic, keep your distance and announce yourself.
- No snooping
When there is an accident or a crash at the side of the road, stopping (or slowing down) to see what is happening is the worst thing you can do – this causes a congestion that prevents emergency vehicles from coming quickly to help the injured and stops those who come behind you.
Most Dangerous Roads in California
You may have already heard about the 91 freeway bridge collapse or the Garden Grove 22 freeway accident, but there are even more highly ranked roads for danger in the state:
- Freeways 710 and 215 that run through different cities in Southern California were among the 10 most dangerous roads in the United States.
- Twenty-two people died in 2013, according to a report on traffic accidents.
- Freeway 710, which is 23 miles long, recorded an average of three accidents for every 10 miles.
- In 2013, eight people died, ranking second in the entire American Union, just behind Interstate 285 in Georgia, where 29 people died.
- Freeway 215, which runs from Temecula to San Bernardino, was ranked tenth.
- For every 10 miles, there are two accidents reported on this freeway. In 2015, 14 people died in said freeway.
What Causes the Most Common Car Accidents?
According to the reports of the U.S. traffic police, the main cause of accidents is negligence behind the wheel. Drivers are responsible for 85-95% of the wrecks that occur every day, says Charles Butler of the United States Automobile Association.
The U.S. Traffic Safety Administration found that about 25% of the collisions are rear-end crashes, and 90% are due to the driver’s distraction or because the driver intentionally gets too close to the car ahead.
From the statistics that measure the frequency of traffic accidents in the United States, and the experience in that country, the most frequent causes of car accidents include:
- Distraction. It is the main cause of rear-end collisions.
- Alcohol or drugs. These substances cause excessive speed and irresponsible maneuvers. Drivers can also fall asleep when intoxicated.
- Speeding. According to the National Safety Council of the United States, exaggerated speed is the most common road error prone to cause accidents.
- Disrespecting signals. Ignoring traffic lights and road signs is another of the most frequent mistakes and one of the most dangerous.
- Disrespecting the right of way at intersections. Seventy-five percent of accidents at intersections are due to the fact that the right of way is not respected. The most frequent fault is to turn to the left when on the same street on which there is a car coming from the opposite direction, causing a crash.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries
There are countless ways traffic accidents can happen, and even more ways in which one of the occupants of the vehicles gets hurt during these incidents. Here are the five most common types of traffic accident injuries (in no particular order).
- Injuries to the legs
- Internal and pelvic injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Diaphragm rupture
Find the Best Lawyer For Your Claim
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to California freeway traffic conditions, speaking to an experienced car accident attorney can help you get fair compensation for injuries and damages. At Avrek Law, we have assisted in over 45,000 cases in which we recovered more than $1 billion for our clients. Contact us to book a free consultation today!
