Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
The sad part is, most accidents, deadly or otherwise, can easily be avoided with a little extra care and attention. We’ve filled our cars with the newest gadgets and technologies to try and make them safer, but the thing that’s going to change the statistics is us being safer on the road.
Today, we’re going to look at some of the common causes of car accidents. If you know what’s likely to get you in trouble, you can take the proper measures to prevent one from happening to you. The more people that think like this, the safer the roads will be.
1. Speeding
We’ve got speed limits for a reason. The rules of the road are simple and as long as you follow the speed limit, you can generally get where you’re going safely.
Driving too fast lowers your ability to react to things on the road. It’s harder to slow down when someone changes lanes and the car itself is more difficult to handle around turns.
2. Impaired Driving
Drunk driving is one of the most harmful things you can do. Simply put, you can’t effectively operate a motor vehicle when you’re under the influence. Many states have made it illegal to have had anything to drink before getting behind the wheel.
To a lesser extent, drugs cause a lot of accidents as well. When your motor function and ability to react to the road are gone, why try to drive?
3. Being Distracted
Our smartphones have become a more and more integral part of our lives, but they’re the root of many car accidents. Again, distracted driving comes with a massive fine in many states, but that doesn’t stop everyone.
4. Reckless Driving
There are a lot of daredevils out there that put everyone else at risk. Distracted or reckless driving could mean a lot of different things, but in general, it can be defined as the complete disregard of the safety of other people or property on the road.
5. Bad Weather
Bad weather can make driving a lot more difficult. Rain, ice, sleet, and snow lower visibility and give the roads less traction, but a good driver should be able to react accordingly.
Slow down and use your lights when the weather is bad. If it’s enough to make driving dangers, then pull over. It’s better to be late to where you’re going than to risk your own life or the life of someone else.
6. Fatigue
It’s very common for a fatigued person to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and cause an accident. There’s no law or gadget that’s able to tell what you should do and no one sets out to fall asleep at the wheel, but you need to know when you’re just too risky.
There Are Too Many Causes of Car Accidents
These are some of the more common causes of car accidents, but there are countless more that are causing serious injury, property damage, and even death. Consider these causes next time you’re driving and do your best to keep yourself and others safe on the road at all times.
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