According to research, an estimated 6 million car crashes occur in the United States each year. That comes out to about 90 fatalities per day, and three million injuries per year.
Though it’s important to understand the severity of these figures, it’s of equal importance to remember that many of these accidents were preventable in the first place.
To keep yourself and your fellow drivers safe, make sure to read this article, where we’ll outline some of the most common causes of car accidents and show you how to avoid them. So whether you’re new to the road or you’re a seasoned driver, make sure to keep reading. It could save your life.
Distracted Driving
Be honest: do you ever text and drive? Or maybe you’re guilty of fiddling with the music controls in your car and it’s caused you to speed through a yellow light or narrowly avoid hitting another driver.
If you’re like most drivers, the answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’
The simple fact is, distracted driving remains the leading cause of car accidents, with texting while driving as the top culprit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed almost 3,000 lives in 2018 alone.
If there’s any silver lining to this startling fact, it’s that distracted driving is avoidable. So put down your phone and save your fast food for when you get to your destination. You might not want to wait, but it beats the dangerous alternative.
Aggression
We’ve all seen instances of aggressive driving. Maybe you accidentally cut a driver off and now they’re swerving around vehicles to make some rather pointed hand gestures at you. Or maybe you’re the driver making the hand gestures!
Whatever the case, it’s tough to overstate the dangers of aggressive driving.
Whether it’s weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, or even changing lanes without signaling, aggressive driving poses a danger to everyone.
If you find yourself tempted to get aggressive, pull over to a safe spot, and give yourself a few minutes to cool down. Or if you’re the victim of an aggressive driver, take down their information and report them to the authorities.
Impaired Driving
When we talk about impaired driving, the first thing that likely comes to mind is drunk driving. For good reason, too, as it’s one of the leading car accident causes. Keep an eye on Accident News if you don’t believe us.
But there’s more to impaired driving than alcohol.
It can mean driving while in an extreme emotional state. Or operating a vehicle after smoking or ingesting marijuana. Really, anything that causes a delayed reaction time.
If you feel differently, you’ll drive differently. Stay home or call an Uber.
Knowing the Causes of Car Accidents Is Half the Battle
Rest assured, there are plenty of other hazards to watch out for. However, these are the three biggest causes of car accidents to keep an eye out for.
Always practice defensive driving. And if you find your mind wandering — whether it’s due to a text message or substance use — stay off the road.
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