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Wyoming Spring Break: Keeping Safe on the Road

By Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. on April 2, 2020

Spring break is a popular time to get away from it all with a road trip, especially for travelers looking to explore the natural beauty of Wyoming. On its own, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most trafficked destinations in the entire United States. However, despite the decline of winter, the spring roads in Wyoming can be hazardous for a number of reasons.

What Are the Risks of Spring Driving in Wyoming?

While spring is the start of many road trips, several different factors can contribute to a violent car accident, including:

  • Rain and flooding: Rain is still common in Wyoming during spring, causing slippery road conditions and accidents. You will need up to four times more stopping distance to slow down on a wet road and will have a harder time controlling your vehicle. Floods are also a regular occurrence, both from rainfall and melting ice flows. If you run into a large quantity of water, it can reduce tire traction and lead to hydroplaning, when your car slides out of control.
  • Winter wear and tear on roads: When you set out on a road trip in the spring, you are traveling on roads that have been ravaged by winter weather conditions. Salt, sand, and snowplows can wreak havoc, leaving roads bumpy and battered, with new potholes to avoid.
  • Hail: Wyoming is located in the hail belt, and hailstorms are common in the spring. If you get caught in such a storm, even smaller hailstones could shatter your windshield. Hail can also make the roads more difficult to navigate.
  • Animals in the road: Spring is an active time for many animals. They may be entering mating season or coming out of hibernation. This means more animals crossing and roaming on the roadways, and more risk of hitting a large animal. Deer are more active at dawn and dusk, when visibility is poor.
  • More bicycles: People who store their bicycles in the winter are apt to get them out again in the spring. When motor vehicles are traveling alongside bicycles, it can increase the risk of a crash.
  • Yellowstone tour buses: As mentioned earlier, Yellowstone is a hot spot for tour companies who bring travelers from all across the world to this unique natural wonder. However, these motorcoaches are often older vehicles that have seen a lot of wear and tear, making them unreliable on long stretches of road. Drivers are often expected to work long hours, driving from as far as Seattle or even Los Angeles to complete a route. It is easy for them to become fatigued and cause a fatal highway accident.

What Makes Wyoming One of the Most Dangerous States for Drivers?

Wyoming has been ranked as the second most dangerous state for drivers in a recent year, as reported by Esurance. A key theme among states with higher fatality rates is the numerous rural roads, which may come with a variety of dangerous conditions, such as:

  • Higher speed limits
  • Less law enforcement
  • Fewer street and traffic lights
  • More animals on the roads
  • Unpaved surfaces, potholes, and uneven terrain

There is no good time of year to have an accident, especially one as lovely as a Wyoming spring. While we cannot control the weather, the Gillette car accident attorneys at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. are available to help victims of negligent drivers. We have a detailed understanding of Wyoming insurance companies and the tactics they used to deny claims. We can launch an in-depth investigation in order to ensure you receive fair and proper compensation after an accident. If you have been in an accident due to someone else’s carelessness or reckless behavior, contact us at (307) 257-7800 to schedule a free case strategy session.

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