Busy Roads to Travel in Santa Barbara

July 15, 2024

The city of Santa Barbara is busy year-round, making it challenging for residents to travel to work. Given Santa Barbara’s scenic views, restaurants, and outdoor activities, it is no wonder that traffic congestion increases substantially during the summer months.

Although the city has taken measures to reduce traffic, you will want to allow more time if traveling around or near the Santa Barbara area. In this blog, our Santa Barbara car accident attorneys would like to discuss the busiest roads in Santa Barbara and the dangers you face as a motorist.

Top Ten Busiest Roads

Dangers of Traffic Congestion

Whether you are visiting or live in Santa Barbara, traffic congestion increases your risk of getting into an accident in the following ways:

Drivers May Get Distracted

If traffic is slow, drivers are more inclined to send text messages, change the radio station, or perform some other activity that takes their attention away from the road. This inattention at the wheel is due to drivers feeling that their full attention is not required when the roads are congested. A recent study showed that multi-vehicle crashes rose with an increase in traffic congestion, while single-vehicle accidents declined.

Insufficient Time to Stop

Motorists do not always account for how long it will take their vehicle to stop, even in heavy traffic. It is estimated that it takes a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle 316 feet (half a football field) to come to a complete stop when traveling at 65 miles per hour. This is only under perfect conditions.

Many rear-end collisions are the result of vehicle operators stopping too late. Unfortunately, in stopped traffic, there is not always 316 feet of buffer room between a rear and lead vehicle.

Speeding or Aggressive Behavior

Nobody likes to sit in traffic, and that can happen often when navigating in or around Santa Barbara. After traffic subsides, drivers are inclined to speed or exhibit other aggressive behavior to make up for lost time.

A word to the wise: if you are stuck in traffic, having a lead foot after traffic clears will only put you and your passengers in danger. Speeding is a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, killing over 12,000 people annually. When you speed, you reduce the amount of time you have to respond appropriately in a given situation.

Traffic Safety Tips

If you are touring Santa Barbara, here are some tips to ensure that you travel safely:

Schedule a Consultation with Our Santa Barbara Car Accident Attorneys Today

Santa Barbara is notorious for heavy traffic, making it hazardous for motorists to travel around the city. If you have fallen victim to a car accident in Santa Barbara, our car accident attorneys are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve. To learn more or to schedule your free case evaluation, call us at (805) 643-5555 or by completing our online contact form