Car accidents are a frequent and unfortunate occurrence on the nation’s roadways. They can lead to serious injuries, property damage and even loss of life.
Accordingly, understanding the common causes of car accidents is important to prevent them and maintain safety on the road at all times.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Distractions can come in various forms, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating or fiddling with the radio while driving. When a driver’s attention is not fully focused on the road, their reaction time decreases, increasing the risk of an accident.
Speeding
When a driver exceeds the posted speed limits or drives too fast for road conditions, they have less time to react to unexpected events. Speeding also makes accidents more severe, as higher velocities result in greater impact forces.
Impaired driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a driver’s ability to make sound judgments and react to changing road conditions. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times, reduced coordination and impaired decision-making, all of which can lead to accidents.
Running red lights and stop signs
Disobeying traffic signals is a dangerous behavior that can lead to serious accidents. Running red lights and stop signs often results in T-bone or broadside collisions, which can be particularly deadly.
Fatigue
Fatigued driving is more common than one might think. When tired or drowsy, a motorist’s reaction times are slower, and they may even fall asleep at the wheel. This poses a serious danger to everyone on the road.
Inexperienced drivers
Inexperienced drivers, particularly teenagers, are more prone to accidents due to their limited knowledge and skills. Inexperience can lead to errors in judgment and the inability to react appropriately in challenging situations.
As reported by Forbes, 1,593,390 injury-causing car crashes took place in 2020 alone. While you cannot always avoid careless drivers on the road, you can reduce your risk of an accident by driving conscientiously.