For experienced drivers, reflecting on the number of years they have been on the road can be shocking to say the least. After all, it can feel like just yesterday when a person was sat in a vehicle taking their driving test and hoping against hope that they didn't accidentally bump into a curb. As the years go on, however, driving can feel like a run-of-the-mill task that doesn't require much effort.
Having a cavalier mindset in regard to getting behind the wheel is dangerous though, as it causes a driver to ignore many of the common dangers on the roadway. To avoid falling into this mindset, take the time to learn the most common causes of car accidents on the road and how to avoid them.
How Often Do Car Accidents Occur?
It isn't pleasant to think about, but car accidents are actually quite common on both U.S. and global roadways. In fact, the latest car accident occurrence estimates state that roughly thirteen car accidents happen every minute on average in the United States. This averages out to over six million car accidents every year. Considering the fact that five million accidents are reported to police yearly, it seems reasonably that an additional million or so go unreported due to being minor.
Putting this on a global scale, however, the CDC has stated that there are over 3,700 people killed in car accidents every day around the world in accidents involving pedestrians, trucks, bicycles, cars, and more.
5 Leading Causes for Car Accidents
With the frightening statistics above understood, learning the leading causes of accidents is the first line of defense a driver has against being involved in an accident. By spotting the key signs an accident is about to occur, a driver can take evasive action before it's too late:
Distracted driving
In the modern day, distracted driving has become a serious problem on roadways. Whether it is a driver checking their phone for texts, trying to change music behind the wheel, eating food, or simply chatting with another person in the car, distracted driving causes a person to take their full attention off the road. This reduces reaction time and can cause a person to be involved in an accident if they aren't careful.
Poor weather conditions
One of the most commonly overlooked causes of car accidents on roadways is poor weather conditions that drivers are unfamiliar with. These conditions can lead drivers to make poor choices that they normally would not make on the road that unfortunately lead to accidents. Whether it's torrential rainfall, blistering heat, whiteout snow conditions, or something else, a driver needs to be prepared for anything.
Intoxicated driving
Not mixing substances with driving is something all young drivers are told, and it is a message reinforced over the years, but some drivers still choose to break this law. Drunk driving or driving with drugs in your system is illegal and can cause a car accident by impacting your reaction time, motor skill control, and general decision-making abilities.
Reckless driving
It likely comes as no shock that reckless driving is also one of the leading causes for accidents on the road. Drivers who insist on making the roadway their own through reckless actions endanger others and themselves, and they often face stiff legal consequences for these actions. In unfortunate situations, however, this type of driving can lead to accidents on the road that have fatal repercussions.
Vehicle breakdowns
Another overlooked common cause of accidents on the road is the breakdown of vehicles due to mechanical issues. This can cause a vehicle to stop in the middle of the road which can force drivers behind that vehicle to take evasive action. Those who aren't able to evade in time may be involved in an accident due to this.
How to Stay Safe While Driving: Key Tips to Remember
Considering all of the above common causes of car accidents on the road, all drivers should place an emphasis on learning how to stay safe behind the wheel. To that end, make use of the following driving safety tips:
1. Leave three to four seconds of space between cars
One of the easiest ways to avoid an injury resulting from a preventable car accident is to simply leave enough space between cars on the road. It is recommended to leave at least three to four seconds of space between vehicles on the road in order to maximize reaction time.
2. Scan the road twelve seconds ahead of your vehicle
Another easy way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident is to scan the road far enough ahead of your vehicle. Twelve seconds is the recommended amount of time, as this gives a driver enough time to see road hazards, traffic, or anything else which may require quick action.
3. Remove any potential distractions from your vehicle
As mentioned, distracted driving accounts for a large number of accidents on the road. Therefore, an easy way to reduce the risk of an accident is to remove any potential distractions from your vehicle as soon as possible. Whether it's a phone, choosing to not eat, or even not allowing certain people in your vehicle, removing distractions is crucial.
4. Take care of preventative maintenance
Finally, all drivers should ensure that they handle preventative maintenance on their vehicle as soon as possible. This type of maintenance involves the regular and routine checking of parts to ensure a major breakdown is extremely unlikely.
Stay safe on the road
In some cases, even the best drivers will be involved in an accident on the road due to factors that were simply out of their control. Being a defensive driver is a great strategy for staying safe but, after all, it's not foolproof. In the event you are involved in a car accident and find yourself injured due to someone else's negligence, filing a personal injury lawsuit beyond insurance may be the best choice. Consider contacting a personal injury lawyer if you feel your case fits this situation.
