Driving in Metro D.C. – Tourist Tips for Staying Safe

If you are traveling from northern Virginia to Washington, D.C., it is important to remain aware at all times. After all, the interstates between these two areas can be extremely congested, and this makes it way too easy to end up in a car accident. In order to stay safe while you are on the road, you should utilize the following tips.1) Prepaid EZ Passes – While you are on the interstates in this area, you will most likely need to pay for tolls. In order to make the process go more smoothly, you can purchase a prepaid EZ pass before you begin your trip. Not only will this allow you to use the most efficient lanes, but it will also keep you from struggling to locate money while you are approaching the toll booth.

2) Watch out for Speed Traps – It is common when you are entering and exiting major cities for the speed limit to quickly drop, but a lot of people fail to notice this. By paying close attention to the local speed limit, you can avoid getting a ticket and be more prepared for sudden changes in the flow of traffic.

3) Familiarize Yourself with Your Route – Even if you have a GPS, you should take some time before you get there to become familiar with the route that you will be taking. After all, there is nothing more frustrating to other drivers than dealing with someone who suddenly tries to cross over multiple lanes at once so that they can take the next exit. Driving erratically in this manner can also lead to accidents and tickets, so it is always a good idea to review your route before you leave home.

4) Get a Vehicle Checkup – One of the major reasons that tourists breakdown during a road trip is that they forget to get a basic checkup done on their vehicle. Everything from needing an oil change to having improper air pressure in your tires can leave you stranded on the side of the road, but you can avoid having your trip spoiled by taking preventative measures.

5) Save Sightseeing for when You are Not Driving – It is easy to get caught up in the sights of a new city, but allowing yourself to become distracted can easily lead to an accident. Therefore, you must remain focused on the road at all times. Fortunately, there are several sightseeing bus and trolley tours from Virginia to D.C. that will enable you to see everything that you could not get a good look at while you were driving.

6) Go with the Speed of Traffic – Although it is not a good idea to speed, it is a worse idea to impede traffic. Therefore, whether the general flow of traffic is 50 or 80 mph, you should stick with the speed of the traffic around you. If you must drive more slowly, make sure that you use the slow lane.

If you get into a wreck while driving from Arlington to D.C., a car accident lawyer in Virginia who specializes in cases in the greater metro area can be of help. If you were injured or your car was seriously damaged, it will be especially important to take legal action quickly. After all, Virginia only allows people to file personal injury claims related to a car accident for two years, and there would be no reason to absorb the cost of an accident that was caused by someone else.