Why Is Turning Left So Dangerous? 

 Posted on July 20, 2023 in Car Accidents

The act of driving involves a seemingly endless checklist of decision-making. Speed up, slow down, or maintain one’s speed? Change lanes or stay put? Continue straight, turn right, turn left, or make a U-turn and go back? Every decision that a driver makes can potentially affect their safety and the safety of those around them. This is why it is both critical to pay attention when driving and to be informed about which actions are most likely to result in a car crash.

Turning Right

A motorist’s decision to turn is a perfect example of a decision that can impact their safety – and the safety of those around them – to different degrees, depending on how the turn itself is executed. Turning right is a relatively safe endeavor. When turning right, a motorist can almost always see what is happening around them and travels a very short distance to complete their maneuver.

Turning Left

By contrast, turning left is such a risky business that many delivery businesses now equip their fleets with technology designed to help their drivers avoid left turns whenever possible. To make a left turn, a vehicle operator must almost always cross at least one oncoming lane of traffic. Thus, if either they or an oncoming motorist is not paying attention, a T-bone crash can happen in the blink of an eye.

Due to the relatively low risks associated with turning right and the high degree of risk associated with crossing oncoming lanes of traffic to turn left, it is perhaps not surprising that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 53 percent of traffic-crossing collisions involve left turns and less than 6 percent involve right turns.

Furthermore, crashes resulting from left-hand turns are often among the most serious. T-bone accidents usually involve serious impact and crush injuries, and cars frequently rollover from the force of the impact. This can lead to passengers and drivers being ejected from the vehicle, even when safety belts are properly used. 

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyer

In the wake of an injurious motor vehicle accident, it can be difficult to determine exactly what went wrong. By scheduling a free consultation with a skilled Dallas, TX motor vehicle accident lawyer at Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., you can start to unravel the “Why?” and “What now?” in your legal situation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be in a position to seek significant compensation. You can call our firm directly at 214-221-5800 or use the instant chat feature on the firm’s website to schedule your consultation today. 

Source:

https://bigthink.com/technology-innovation/the-science-behind-why-ups-trucks-avoid-making-left-turns/