Being involved in a car accident can come with lasting consequences such as mental trauma and physical injuries that take years to resolve. However, many drivers have been behind the wheel for so many years that the common dangers of accidents have become lost on them. This has led many drivers to develop a cavalier attitude towards the road which can put them in a position where a car accident may occur. To avoid this, all drivers should refresh themselves on the common causes of car accidents and what they can do to stay safe on the road.
How Common Are Car Accidents?
One of the leading reasons drivers forget about the dangers of car accidents is the fact that they have never been involved in one themselves. However, just because the majority of people haven’t been involved in a car accident doesn’t mean they don’t happen. There are over an estimated five million car accidents each year, going to show just how frequently they occur. On top of this, nearly half of all car accidents result in an injury of some kind, which is why learning how to avoid a wreck in the first place is the best way to stay safe.
The 5 Common Causes of Accidents
While driving safely is always the best way to reduce the risk of an accident on the road, learning the common causes of crashes to keep an eye out for is equally as beneficial. Keep your eyes peeled for the following five frequent causes of car wrecks:
1. Distracted Driving
Whether it is checking your phone, eating food behind the wheel, getting into an argument with someone in the car, or something else, being distracted while driving is never good. A person taking their eyes off the wheel for even a moment can result in a serious accident that can cause multiple injuries.
2. Driving Under the Influence
While it is a rule that is stressed to drivers constantly, some people still choose to drink and then get behind the wheel. Alternatively, others ingest drugs and then do the same thing. Mixing substances with driving can quickly impair a person’s decision-making and ability to operate a vehicle, which is why it should never be done.
3. Driving in Poor Weather
An often-overlooked common cause of car accidents on roadways is simply poor weather conditions. Whether that be torrential rain, blistering heat, whiteout snow conditions, hurricane winds, or something else, driving in unfamiliar conditions is dangerous. Drivers can accidentally make the wrong choice behind the wheel when driving in such conditions, which is why ensuring you know what you are doing in poor weather is important.
4. Vehicle Breakdowns
There are few things as dangerous as a vehicle breaking down in the middle of a major roadway, as it can require evasive action on behalf of other drivers. Those who are not paying attention may slam into the broken-down vehicle or others around them, which is why ensuring a vehicle is working properly through preventative maintenance is so important.
5. Reckless Driving
Finally, pure reckless driving is another common cause of accidents on U.S. roadways and roadways around the world. Whether that be violating traffic laws or just driving aggressively, reckless driving can result in incredibly dangerous accidents which is why the legal penalty for such action is so strict.
Beneficial Tips for Avoiding a Car Accident
With frightening statistics on roadways such as the fact that California, Florida, and Texas are three of the most dangerous states in the U.S. for bicyclists, learning how to avoid any type of accident on the road is of paramount importance. The following five tips can help with exactly that:
Leave Enough Following Distance Between Cars
Firstly, all drivers should be sure they are leaving enough distance between themselves and any vehicles that are in front of them on the road. It is recommended to leave at least three to four seconds of space between vehicles in order to maximize reaction time should evasive action or quick decisions be required on the road.
Scan the Road Ahead of Your Vehicle
Similar to the last point, all drivers should also be scanning the road ahead of their vehicles for roughly twelve seconds in order to spot any potential road hazards. Whether those hazards be traffic, an object in the road, or something else entirely, spotting what is coming towards your vehicle will help with reacting to it.
Be Defensive, Not Offensive
All drivers should act cautiously on the road and in a defensive manner, rather than acting with disregard for others around them. It’s easy to get frustrated by the actions of other drivers, but don’t allow yourself to slip into road rage as this can cause a serious accident.
Remove Potential Distractions from a Vehicle
With distracted driving being one of the biggest causes of accidents on roadways today, all drivers should take the time to remove any potential distractions from their vehicles. Whether it’s phones, food, or even people, ensure you will be able to turn your complete attention toward the road ahead of you.
Never Drink and Drive
Finally, it shouldn’t need to be said but it’s important that no drivers mix alcohol with driving. Even if you have only had a little bit to drink, it is still extremely dangerous to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
The Bottom Line
As a driver, you have a duty to the others around you on the road to act in a manner that does not put them in danger. Acting in any other way, whether that be negligently or recklessly, can lead to serious legal consequences in the event you cause an accident. Therefore, always stay defensive on the road and be completely attentive to what is going on around your vehicle. Utilize each of the above tips to reduce your likelihood of being involved in an accident so that you can keep yourself safe.