Drivers Aside, Our Highways Are Getting Safer

Drivers Aside, Our Highways Are Getting Safer

You may have experienced any or all of them on the roads within the past weeks. There’s “Make Up Mary” who has the tendency, if not the talent, to put on makeup while driving at 45 miles per hours. There’s Terry Texter who is so focused on what’s on his screen he has no idea there’s room enough for three cars in front of him at the red light. Perhaps you’ve met or at least seen Paula Pullout who can’t wait to get in front of you and slow down or Non-Stop Steve who believes stop signs and red lights are optional. Yes, inspite of an increasing amount of safety features and technology, drivers continue to be more distracted and quite frankly, worse than ever.

What is ironic, however, is that while these distracted and poor drivers may be aggravating, our highways are actually getting safer. Yeah, who would have thought. Not just a little bit either. In 1972, for example, 54,589 people died on the nation’s highways. That number hasn’t reached above 38,000 in over the past dozen years. That’s pretty remarkable considering the number of Makeup Mary’s, Terry Texter’s, Paul Pullout’s and Non-Stop Steve’s on the road. The difference? First, our cars are safer. The other major reason is our roads are safer.

We may not notice it because changes are often subtle, but our roadways are constantly getting better. These positive changes are making a difference, one by one. Here are some of the things you may or may not have noticed.

  • More brilliant, visible and reflective street paint that makes lines and directional markers more visible especially at night.
  • Easy to see traffic lights that are focused to be more directional and can be seen further away.
  • Reflective markers placed into center strips.
  • Serrated pavement along the right side of the road that provide a physical and audible signal when a vehicle is leaving the road.
  • More concrete barriers designed to prevent crossovers into oncoming traffic
  • Safer barriers around bridge abutments and graduated and curved guardrail ends.
  • Breakaway road signs that also are easier to read.
  • Better highway lighting.
  • Upgraded entry/exit ramps that are less intense.

Combine these and others with upgraded in-car safety features and we are seeing the positive results.

Safer roads can lead to lower auto insurance rates but to find out you must compare. It starts with a call to one of our independent insurance agents. They can “shop around” for you, comparing rates to find you the best value. Contact us and get the auto insurance you deserve.


Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Want to learn more about our blog writer?

Read more about KayLynn's background.

Click Here

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Non-Profits Need Protection Too! Safeguarding Your Good Works with Insurance

Non-Profits and Insurance: Myths Busted! Protecting Your Good Works

Beyond the Grave: Burial Insurance vs. Life Insurance Explained

Don’t Be Buried by Confusion: Understanding Burial and Life Insurance

Cracking the Code: Your Car’s VIN and What It Means to You

VIN Decoder Ring: Unveiling the Mysteries of Your Car’s Identification Number

The Aftermath: Proving Your Possessions After a Disaster

Homeowner’s Insurance Hero: How to Prepare for a Claim Before Disaster Strikes

Lost in Translation: Skills of the Past That Young People Might Miss Out On

From Fax Machines to Fancy Footwork: 6 Skills Younger Generations Might Not Have

Beyond the Box Truck: When Does Your Business Need Special Vehicle Insurance?

Business on the Move? Don’t Get Stuck Without the Right Vehicle Insurance

From Bronze Age to Boomers: How Life Expectancy Went From Meh to Magnificent

How Long Will You Live? A Look at Life Expectancy Throughout History (and Why You Might Need Life Insurance)

From Chauffeur to Cheerleader: The Teen Driver’s (and Parent’s!) Guide to Car-Buying Chaos

Teen Driver on the Horizon? This Guide Will Steer You Through Car-Buying Chaos

When Branches Become Brawls: Who Pays When a Tree Attacks Your House?

Neighborly Nightmare: Tree Trouble and Your Homeowner’s Insurance

From Pet Rocks to Pokémania: A Funtastic Journey Through 50 Years of Fads

A Look Back, and a Look Forward