This year, more individuals are getting one of the three available coronavirus vaccines. Johnson & Johnson has joined Moderna and Pfizer, and that should mean the rollout will speed up quite a bit. Also, the 1.9 trillion-dollar relief bill that President Biden is about to sign should provide more vaccines to more Americans at a faster pace.
All of this means that Americans should be traveling more this year. Some people still might feel uncertain about flying, at least for a few months. They are likely eager to visit their relatives, though, particularly ones that live across the country and who they have not seen in many months.
Because of this, we should see more people traveling by car in 2021. Whether you’ve had a vaccine or not, in your vehicle, you’re safe and cut off from the rest of the public.
However, there are still some travel dangers on America’s roadways that are worth mentioning. Let’s talk about a few of those right now.
1. Unlicensed or Unqualified Truck Drivers
Unlicensed or unqualified truck drivers are one possible concern. You need a CDL to drive a commercial vehicle, such as a truck. Inspectors can always check trucker licenses, and they frequently do so.
In a recent year, there were 3,338,428 inspections, and they led to 170,955 driver’s license suspensions. That’s a lot. You would hope that the suspended truck drivers did not attempt to operate a commercial vehicle until they remedied the situation and got their license back, but you have no way of knowing that.
The reality is that if you see an eighteen-wheeler cruising along the highway, you have no way to know whether the driver has a valid license. Because of this, you should always give trucks a wide berth.
They are so much heavier and bigger than your vehicle, and even if the driver has a license and knows what they’re doing, one wrong move can be deadly for you. Trucks have large blind spots, so your best move is to stay out of them and drive away from these behemoths as soon as you can.
2. Poorly-Maintained Roadways and Bridges
Some of this country’s highways are also not in the best shape. Lawmakers will often mention infrastructure repairs, but they usually end up pushing this concern aside in favor of things like military spending and other initiatives.
If you’re traveling across the country, all you can do is watch out for cracks in the asphalt and other highway dangers. You also have to hope while you’re going over bridges that they hold up until your vehicle is safely over on the other side.
3. Reckless or Intoxicated Drivers
You also need to watch out for reckless or distracted drivers. If you’re on the road for long enough, you will probably see all kinds of poor driving etiquette. You might see a driver texting while they’re operating a vehicle, or you may see someone trying to eat a five-course meal while barreling down the highway at eighty miles per hour.
You also never know who has consumed alcohol or illegal drugs before driving. This happens far too often, and if someone is a problem drinker or an alcoholic, they might feel like they know how to drive, even when they’ve had a few.
If someone seems like an unsafe driver, get away from them as quickly as possible. You might even take note of their license plate number and report them to the authorities if you get a chance to do so.
4. Dangerous Individuals at Gas Stations and Truck Stops
If you’re traveling across the country to see your relatives this year, you should also watch yourself when you stop in unfamiliar locations. You might pull over at some deserted truck stop or gas station to use the restroom and get some snacks or a cup of coffee.
If you’re with others, you’re probably in better shape, but if you’re alone, take note of the individuals around you. If someone seems to be acting strangely, stay in your car until they have gone on their way. Be sure to properly prepare and pack for a road trip before heading out on the open road.
Final Words
Traveling can be fun, and if the pandemic has made sure you stayed indoors for months on end, it’s probably more appealing than ever. Just be careful to watch out for the dangers that we mentioned when you decide the time is right to visit your loved ones this year.
