Being entangled in a vehicle accident is traumatic, and the outcome of a wreck can intensify that trauma. From bodily harm to property damage, medical bills to lost earnings, you could be dealing with more than you bargained for in a vehicle crash.
In the first nine months of 2024, 29,135 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., representing a 4.4 percent drop from the same period in 2023, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Regardless of this drop, thousands of preventable crashes take place every day.
So, what precisely are the leading causes of vehicle accidents?
While some accidents aren’t preventable, many are. Studies demonstrate that human error is a component in roughly 95 percent of crashes, with speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving chief among the principal causes. Below you’ll note a list of the more conventional causes of vehicle accidents. Being aware of these risk factors can help you stay attentive and hopefully escape being entangled in a collision of your own.
Distracted Driving
It may come as a surprise to some, but It’s not speeding drivers or even drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs that are the chief causes of vehicle crashes. Distracted driving is the number one cause of vehicle accidents
Being distracted, i.e., sending a quick text, answering a cellphone call or eating a snack all require the brain to switch between tasks, and switching between tasks, even if it is apparently innocent, produces distraction. As prime examples, you won’t see a vehicle driving toward you or a vehicle braking in front of you if you’re distracted.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is responsible for an average of 32 deaths per day!
Driving while drunk or impaired by any substance is a formula for catastrophe. According to statistics gathered by the NHTSA, alcohol is a chief consideration in more than 40 percent of all vehicle fatalities. Never get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even particular over-the-counter prescription medicines can cloud a driver’s senses, leading toward costly mistakes. When in doubt, call a ride. It could truly save a life, even your own.
Speeding
Rushing because you’re late to work, keeping up with traffic or simply inadvertently exceeding the speed limit are among the principal causes of speed-related accidents. Nearly one in three crash deaths in the United States entails speeding, says the Centers for Disease Control.
We’ve all experienced drivers blow by us on the highway, maybe even when we’re going over the posted speed limit ourselves. It’s certainly not uncommon for drivers to go 10, 15 or even 20 or more miles over the speed limit. You need to keep in mind that the faster you drive, the slower your response time. Let’s assume you have to take avoiding action to prevent a vehicle accident while driving 20 or more miles above the limit. Chances are quite high that the accident simply can’t be avoided at that speed.
Reckless Driving
Weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes hastily, tailgating and cutting off other vehicles are merely a few descriptions of reckless driving. If you witness someone driving like this, simply back off and give them enough room. There’s just nothing you can do to make a reckless driver safe. Protect yourself and report the driver to the proper authorities.
Not Following the Laws of the Road
Vehicle accidents also often take place when drivers simply are not adhering to the laws of the road. Let’s say you run a stop sign. You produce a hazardous condition for yourself and other drivers. Roughly 40 percent of vehicle crashes happen at intersections. That’s why it’s so essential to grasp the rules of the road and who, for example, has the right-of-way at an intersection. Educating yourself on road safety rules and applying these rules correctly will help you escape these type accidents.
Driving Exhausted
Sleepiness, drowsiness or complete exhaustion will weaken a driver’s capacity to totally react to or recognize road conditions. According to the NHTSA, even a driver who falls asleep for only a couple of seconds while going 55 mph can travel over 100 yards. An exhausted driver actually poses many of the same hazards as someone driving under the influence.
Fatigue performs a big role in accidents comprising trucks and other commercial vehicles that operate in line with exacting deadlines. Everyday drivers of passenger vehicles can make this mistake too, however, by misjudging their ability to remain alert and stay focused on the road.
Poor Weather
Weather influences road conditions, making driving even more hazardous. For drivers in Pennsylvania, rain and snow will produce unsafe circumstances for drivers. Obviously, water and ice make it more difficult to operate your vehicle as there’s less friction. Falling rain and snow with the addition of fog may also impact visibility, which can also result in accidents.
In such instances, you need to drive at a deliberate speed, so you don’t lose control of your vehicle. You should be able to brake as needed and not skid as you might at a higher speed.
Running Over or Avoiding Potholes
If you live in Pennsylvania, you know all about potholes!
Potholes can produce severe damage to your vehicle when you hit one, notably at a high speed. It can also make you lose control of your vehicle and might also trigger a tire to blow out. When it occurs in the middle of the road, your vehicle is more apt to initiate an accident with other motorists.
To avoid this from happening, a few drivers attempt to dodge a pothole by veering around it. The problem, however, is this might also cause an accident if there’s approaching traffic or when a driver behind you is taken by surprise.
Driving at Night
Unfortunately, many drivers are unaware that nighttime driving boosts the chances of an accident by just about double. It can be demanding to see what is ahead of you or approaching from the side. When the sun starts to fall, our alertness needs to be intensified. That’s because night driving can also result in drowsiness, which can produce lane swerving into other lanes or near the median, grass area or curbs.
Closing Thoughts
Let’s face it, at some point, any driver will find themselves at fault by committing any one or more of these more common causes of traffic accidents. Nevertheless, heightening our responsiveness to these causes can further educate and hopefully motivate drivers to be more attentive on the road.
Start taking preventative measures by keeping these events in mind the next time you drive.
