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CRASHES Roadway Departure Crashes Roadway departure crashes—where a vehicle crosses an edge line or a centerline and leaves the roadway—are frequently severe. Many single- vehicle roadway departure crashes result in serious injuries and fatalities since most occur at high speeds. It comes down to physics: a vehicle moving at a high speed has a significant amount of momentum. If the vehicle stops suddenly by hitting a fixed object, such as a tree, the result is usually a serious injury or fatality. A vehicle that rolls over after a high-speed roadway departure can cause significant injury to the driver and passengers, even if it does not hit another object. However, hitting a bush or minor objects on the roadside rather than a fixed object could reduce injuries and damages. In most cases, when a vehicle departs from its lane or runs off the road, driver error is the cause. Typical factors contributing to driver error include: X Speeding on a sharp curve or a steep grade X Distraction/not paying attention X Drowsiness/fatigue X Driver impairment X Poor nighttime visibility The best way to avoid a roadway departure: be alert, attentive, and clear-headed when driving, and keep your vehicle thoroughly inspected and maintained. Vehicle safety technologies can also help, including a Forward Collision Warning system, Drowsy Driver alerts, and Automatic Emergency Braking. In some cases, these systems may help you avoid the crash altogether, but even if they do not, they may help to reduce the severity of the crash. Sometimes, even the most alert drivers are surprised by the unexpected, like an animal running across the road or another vehicle merging into the same lane without signaling. Your reflex might be to quickly jerk the wheel in the opposite direction often sending it across the roadway or making it roll. If your vehicle leaves the roadway, follow these guidelines: X Do not panic. X Keep steering where you want to go. X Slow down by easing off the accelerator. X Slowly apply the brakes. X Bring the vehicle to a stop and try to get back on the roadway afterwards if the vehicle is safe to drive. See Crash Reporting in the Vehicle Companion Guide. STATE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION AARP DRIVER SAFETY 86 ARE WE SMART ON THE ROAD? 4 1 2 3 4 5 6