Dramatically-beautiful scenery on the open road can lead people who hate driving to reconsider their opinions — at least for a while. Unfortunately, scenic drives are also dangerous ones, especially for tourists who are not familiar with the twists and turns and other hazards.

Each Los Angeles auto accident lawyer at our firm encourages people to get a roadside view of California's scenery, but do a little research first. Knowing the hazards of any specific road can help drivers appropriately alter driving behavior or avoid a particularly dangerous route.

California Boasts One of the Most Scenic and Dangerous Roads

The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) portion of State Route 1 is clearly one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the U.S. However, Dangerousroads.org cites the following concerns:

• No guard rails at edges where traffic swerving into an oncoming lane cannot be avoided
• Hairpin turns
• Narrow shoulders
• Steep drop-offs
• Fog most mornings and evenings, and possible mud slides in winter

Clearly, these are conditions that can prevent drivers from seeing traffic and pedestrians ahead of them, which explains why, according to Claims Journal, 376 people were injured and nine people, mostly pedestrians, were killed in PCH accidents in the three years ending in December 2014.

Tips for Safer Scenic Road Travel

All drivers need to be aware that any road with beautiful vistas tends to be more dangerous simply because it offers countless distractions that take eyes off the road. Anyone behind the wheel is strongly advised to pull over to a safe place before seeing the sights. Since road conditions are also a major concern, take the following precautions as well:

• Identify a safe speed: Never exceed the posted speed limit, but even that speed may be too high if the roads are wet or muddy. On the other hand, driving too slowly can result in a collision if a driver rounds a curve at normal speeds and cannot stop in time to avoid hitting a slow-moving vehicle that appears around the bend.
• Maintain safe distances: Since it is difficult to predict conditions that can cause a nearby driver to stop or lose control, maintain a distance that permits greater reaction time.
• Use a well-maintained vehicle: Even though drivers can pick safe places to pull over for scenic viewing, they have little control over stopping points if their vehicles break down on the road. Make sure a vehicle is mechanically sound, with good tires and enough gas to help prevent unplanned roadside stops.
• Know when to say no: Every driver has unique experience and confidence levels, and some simply cannot handle the stress of maneuvering along a major dangerous road. Choosing another driver — or even a tour bus — might be the best option for some drivers who want to see the sights.

Of course, any driver can be susceptible to roadway dangers, and roadway hazards are not always an excuse when someone causes an accident. Injury victims in these accidents have a right to pursue full and fair compensation independent of the overall safety of a particular road. Call The Rudman Law Firm APC toll-free at (844) 478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN, at our Los Angeles office (213) 375-3777 or at our Studio City office (818) 769-6969. You can also use our convenient online contact form to reach us at any time.