How Dangerous Are Tourists on the Road?

 Posted on March 15, 2022 in Car Accident

Larimer County residents know how beautiful our landscape is. The natural beauty of our landscape, the opportunities for outdoor recreation - and of course, our legal marijuana - are all draws for tourists. Hosting visitors can be great for our local economy. It can be not-so-great for our road safety. You may have heard that most car accidents happen within a few miles of a person’s home, but tourists seem to habitually ignore this statistic and cause accidents quite far from their homes. Getting into a car accident can ruin a family vacation, but it can cause even bigger problems for the unfortunate locals who fall victim to a careless visitor. If you get hit by a non-local driver, quick action is important. You will want to get in contact with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Why Are Tourists Prone to Causing Car Crashes?

If you are driving along and abruptly get hit by a tourist, a few types of careless mistakes made by visitors might be the culprit. Common reasons tourists cause accidents include:

• Landscape - When you live here, you are used to driving through our beautiful landscapes and have seen all the views Larimer County has to offer. For tourists, our mountains and valleys may be brand-new sights. Trying to take in the views while driving a vehicle is not a great idea. A driver can easily veer out of his lane while looking at something other than the road.
• Cannabis - Colorado draws quite a few visitors from states where cannabis is still illegal or only available to medical users. In fact, this is the primary reason some people choose to vacation in Colorado. The problem arises when our guests use cannabis and then get behind the wheel, thinking it will be alright. People who are intoxicated by marijuana may become easily distracted and uncoordinated, leading to accidents.
• Lost - It can be easy to get turned around on our winding mountain roads, even for the locals. Trailheads and some nature-oriented accommodations can be a bit difficult to find. The proper course of action is to stop in a safe place and then try to sort out the directions. Accidents often occur because a driver is looking down at his phone trying to get GPS working rather than at the road. Drivers who are focused on the map might fail to notice a curve in the road or even another vehicle until it is too late.

It is especially important to call the police to report an accident involving a tourist. You need to have accurate identifying information before they head back home. Do not rely on a plate number - they could be driving a borrowed or rented vehicle.

Call a Larimer County Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a sightseeing, high, or lost tourist, call Hoggatt Law Office, P.C.. Our Ft. Collins car accident attorneys will fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve. You can reach us at 970-225-2190 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.iamat.org/blog/travel-and-road-safety-know-your-risks/