According to the WHO, 1.3 million people die each year due to a road injury. However, even though car crashes are common, most accidents are avoidable. In this article, you’ll be learning about the top causes of car accidents, and by knowing what they are, you’ll be able to prevent them better.
1. Drunk Driving
Driving while having one too many drinks is a clear danger for both yourself and for the other drivers. When you’re drunk, your cognitive functions and senses don’t work to their full capacity. This will make it difficult for you to make decisions, especially if your reaction times in case you face a situation that could lead to a potential accident.
Having too much alcohol right before driving is not only dangerous but also illegal. Unfortunately, drivers have the misconception that if the alcohol content in their blood is below the legal limit, then it’s safe to drive, but that’s far from the case. Even though you’ve had a little alcohol, your judgment, sight, and coordination will be affected regardless.
The same thing goes with the consumption of drugs. Whether the drugs are legal or not, taking drugs before hitting the road will run a high risk of causing a car accident. If you or a friend has gotten into an accident due to this reason, contact one of these car accident lawyers.
2. Speeding
You’ve no doubt seen drivers speed past you on the road, even when you’re pushing the speed limit a little. One thing is to drive 10 or 15 miles a little over the speed limit but, the faster you drive, the slower you’ll know how to react. In other words, if you need to avoid an incident on the road and your speeding, you don’t be able to prevent it.
3. Distractions
Many car accidents occur due to distractions—a driver who isn’t paying full attention to the road. They may be too focused on the music playing on the radio, their phone, their food, or even other passengers in the vehicle.
4. Being Reckless
Being a reckless driver always leads to trouble—tailgating, cutting other drivers off, running red lights, etc. These are clear examples of what you shouldn’t do out on the road. If you witness another driver near you doing these things, stay away from them and report them to the authorities.
5. Texting
Another common cause of car accidents is texting while driving. Texting is a clear, visual distraction. It might take a mere few seconds to reply to a text message, but it can also take a few seconds to get into a catastrophic accident.
6. Running Intersections
Running through an intersection or red light is another common cause of car accidents. Some drivers might not even do it recklessly, but rather, they’re distracted or simply didn’t notice the clear signs. Whatever the case, you should never be tempted to run a red light or stop sign.
7. Taking the Wrong Turns
When you’re at an intersection, ensure that you’re in the correct lane. Some people have gotten into accidents for misinterpreting signs or driving in the opposite lane. If you need to turn your car around, but you’re stuck in a lane that forces you to go straight, then keep going straight.
8. Weather Conditions
The weather greatly influences the safety of the road. Even the brightest of days can cause sun glare to blind you while driving and get you into an accident. If you’re stuck on the road and the weather gives you a hard time, drive extra carefully.
If the road is becoming too difficult to see and your visibility is lacking, the best call is to pull over as soon as you get the chance and wait until the weather clears up.
9. Night Driving
Driving at nighttime does increase your chances of getting into an accident. It’s difficult to notice what’s ahead of you while driving in the dark, especially if the road isn’t lit enough. If you’re driving during the late evening, be even more aware of your surroundings.
10. Drowsy Driving
Did you know that driving in a drowsy state is equally as dangerous as driving drunk? A driver who hasn’t gotten enough rest gets the same cognitive, visual, and motor impairment as a drunk person does.
When you’re drowsy, you can easily nod your head off for a few seconds, something known as micro sleeping. Unfortunately, doing this can give you plenty of time to get into a car accident. Plus, being drowsy slows your reaction time.
11. Teenagers
Teenagers are definitely dangerous drivers due to their lack of experience out on the road. Teenagers might struggle knowing how to react in certain situations and, as a result, can get into an accident. If you notice a young driver near you, give them some room.
12. Car Defects
Sadly, another common cause of car accidents is car defects. In order for a car to run efficiently and safely, all the parts need to be working well. Yet, many things can go wrong and malfunction, causing the driver to get into an accident. The best thing you can do to prevent this from happening is to follow up on your car’s maintenance.
Causes of Car Accidents—Explained
Keeping in mind the top causes of car accidents will help you be more aware of how you drive and how to take precautions to avoid a catastrophe. No matter how confident you might feel behind the wheel, remember to always drive safely.
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