Unfortunately, statistics demonstrate that 1 out of every 4 drivers, will experience a minor or a major car accident at some point in their lives. And while the possibility of being in a car accident is just something that we have to live with, by being aware of the top causes of car accidents, you can become more aware of risky situations that may indicate the need for you to maintain a high level of alertness during these situations. Here are the top 6 causes of car accidents.
If you're in the same lane as a driver who isn't completely focused on the task at hand, such as eating, texting or grooming while driving for example, you need to ensure that you maintain a high level of alertness pertaining to that driver. Statistics estimate, that distracted driving has been and continues to be the top reason why people get into car accidents. Two of the most alarming facts about distracted driving is that, people who talk on the phone while driving are 4 times more likely to get into an accident, while people who text whenever they drive are 24 times more likely to be involved in an accident.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, speeding is one of the most prevalent causes of car accidents. In some cases, people may resort to speeding for legitimate reasons such as being late, but to avoid the possibility of this, ensure that you leave out at least 10 minutes earlier than you need to, in order for you to give yourself some time for unexpected traffic jams.
The government enforces harsh penalties for people who drink and drive, and based on the fact that 300,000 incidents occur on a daily basis as a result of drunk driving, it comes as no surprise. Another alarming fact about this statistic, is that over 1.41 million drivers are arrested on a yearly basis for driving under the influence.
One of the more anavoidable causes of car accidents is the weather. Even though some tires are designed to perform on wet roads, in some instances, the weather may get so bad that it creates a slick layer of water on the roads that heighten the chances that a vehicle may spin out of control while in the midst of breaking.
Statistics demonstrate that you have a higher chance of being in an accident if you run a stop sign or red light. It is also estimated that running stop signs and red lights, are the number one causes of side impact collisions.
No matter how you cut, at some point or another, the need to change lanes, will arise at some point, maybe multiple times throughout the day due to an exit from a freeway or driving behind an reckless driver, for example. But drivers who don't execute the proper procedure when it comes to changing lanes, such as a lack of a turn signal, or a failure to check for blind spots, are more prone to being involved in an accident as opposed to drivers that do.