Tourists visiting Hawaiʻi often rent cars or even motorcycles to get around the islands. They don’t want to depend on public transportation or paid ride services, which can be inconvenient, unreliable or expensive. Renting a vehicle gives people immediate control over where they travel while in Hawaiʻi and can help them more effectively control the cost of their visit. Unfortunately, some tourists take home unpleasant souvenirs after a visit to Hawaiʻi. They end up hurt in a car crash and may struggle to cope with the injuries and expenses generated. The five tips below may help tourists more effectively avoid crashes.

Let someone else navigate

One of the most common mistakes that tourists make while driving is the manual handling of a mobile device. Particularly when people need assistance from navigation software, they may try to handle their phones while on the road. Any manual use of a phone is a violation of Hawaiʻi law that could make someone liable for a crash. Letting someone else respond to text messages or input a new destination into GPS software is often a smart choice.

Learn how to handle traffic circles

Traffic circles or roundabouts confuse those who are not familiar with them. In place of a traditional intersection, there is a circular route around a median where drivers must yield and merge appropriately. Drivers do not necessarily need to stop unless there is already approaching traffic from the left within the traffic circle. Those who properly yield will find that traffic circles are convenient and safer than traditional intersections.

Be cautious on mountain roads

There are many curving mountain roads that attract tourists looking for a day trip in Hawaiʻi. Many of these roads are barely wide enough for large vehicles, let alone two vehicles moving in opposing directions. Drivers need to slow down, watch carefully and also sometimes sound their horns when approaching curves on mountain roads for optimal safety.

Always yield to pedestrians

Pedestrians, including other tourists, don’t always think before entering the road. They may step out in front of traffic because they are under the influence or distracted. Drivers should watch very carefully for pedestrians and always slow down or stop for them, as motorists will almost always be the party at fault if they collide with a pedestrian.

Know how to drive in the rain

Wet roads are dangerous, and Hawaiʻi sees very frequent precipitation. Drivers need to prioritize safety when driving on wet roads or during active rainstorms. Generally speaking, best practices include decreasing vehicle speed and increasing the following distance when behind other vehicles in traffic. Making safety a top priority can help people minimize the risk of using public roads while visiting Hawaiʻi.