Fatal Car Accident in Nampa

A Nampa, Idaho resident was involved in a fatal car accident early Wednesday morning on Highway 78. A car heading northbound drove off the road, overcorrected, and rolled. The victim was ejected from the car and died at the scene. Investigators say the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

Overcorrection can be a deadly mistake when driving at higher speeds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the chance that a driver who over-corrects a vehicle will be involved in a fatal accident is significantly greater than drivers with other driver performance-related factors. Overcorrection of the vehicle, along with drowsy and inattentive drivers, is among one of the most fatal driver-performance related factors in deadly car accidents. The Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine published a study in 2008 which reviewed rollover accidents. The study found that 90% of vehicles which reentered the road prior to rollover involved steering overcorrection and the vast majority experienced a second departure from the road.

To prevent overcorrection, avoid panic-like steering. Jerking the steering wheel is a common reaction to an emergency or when your car is leaving the pavement. If your car leaves the roadway, gradually reduce speed and then ease your car back on the roadway once it’s safe to do so. It may be helpful to practice bringing your car back onto the pavement in a safe environment so you know exactly how your car reacts in these types of situations. Also, be aware of your car’s limits. It is always a good idea to maintain your tires and load vehicles properly. Finally, use caution on rural roads where rollovers are more likely to occur. According to the NHTSA, 75% of rollover accidents happen in rural areas. Be aware when your car leaves the roadway in a rural area, it may be more likely to strike a ditch or embankment and roll.