The Main Causes of Most Car Accidents
Did you know that road accidents can be predicted and that their causes can be foreseen and avoided? Yes, it’s true. The causes of car accidents are multifactorial and vary from one nation to another, but there are some general causes that appear in almost all accidents. We’ll look at these causes and how to prevent them in the following article.
What is a Car Accident and How Many People are Affected?
The number of people killed in car accidents has been steadily increasing over the years. In the year 1945, there were 1,835 fatalities. In 2019, this number had risen to 36,096. The question of what causes car accidents is one that is the subject of much debate. However, many factors can lead to a car accident including distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding.
It is known that about 48% of all crashes happen because drivers are distracted. There is no question that distracted driving is a problem, and there are many reasons why people do it. According to a recent study, these drivers took their eyes off the road for an average of 4.1 seconds at a time. This might not seem like a major amount of time, but anything that takes your eyes off the road for a long time can lead to a car accident. If you are in a car accident you might require help from personal injury lawyers Perth.
How Do Car Accidents Happen?
While automobile accidents kill many people every year, most aren’t fatal — and you don’t have to be the next statistic. As we’ve written before, car accidents can happen when you least expect them — even in situations where drivers and passengers do everything right.
With drunk, distracted drivers on the roadways, you never know when your life will be in danger. Accidents happen every day, and every driver is susceptible to dangerous situations regardless of experience. Every second that you’re on the road there is a chance for an accident to occur — that’s why we must always drive carefully.
Causes of Car Accidents #3-Speeding
Speeding is one of the top three leading causes of car accidents. On any given day, you’ll see drivers racing down the highway or weaving in and out of slower traffic in an attempt to overcome traffic issues. Speeding has always been a problem on city streets. But in recent years, it’s become a serious safety concern on the nation’s highways.
The reasons sighted for speeding are many, but the most common include:
- Driving too fast for the road conditions.
- Becoming distracted inside or outside the vehicle.
- Panic or fear on the part of the driver.
- Aggressive driving on the part of another driver.
- Habit or force of habit that has built up over time.
Causes of Car Accidents #2-Drunk Driving
Of the many people that die worldwide each year in road traffic crashes — a significant proportion of them are considered to be victims of “drunk driving accidents” — according to the World Health Organization. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,076 people died in drunk driving car accidents in the United States in 2015 alone. There is even jail time in some countries for driving drunk.
US: There are a number of repercussions for a first time conviction, including a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum fine of $2,087 or 1 year of jail time. A person will have to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed on any car they drive for one year. This device requires a breath test before the car will start.
China: The maximum punishment for drunk driving is 2-5 years imprisonment and 3-6 months suspension of the driver’s licence. A major penalty is 5 years imprisonment or more and permanent revocation of the driver’s licence.
Causes of Car Accidents #1-Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of car accidents. In fact, when using a cell phone while driving, your chances of being in a crash more than double. In many cases, this type of self-inflicted crash could have been avoided with a little more awareness and care on the part of the driver. If you are injured in a car accident and require assistance with your claim for compensation contact motor vehicle accident lawyers Perth.
Tips to Prevent Common Types of Car Accidents
If you are looking for some helpful advice on how to avoid car accidents, you will find it in this section of the article.
The first tip on how to prevent accidents is focusing on the road at all times. That means you should not be using your cell phone or texting while you are driving. You should also not be looking into the rear-view mirror to apply makeup or for any other reason other than to help with changing lanes. You should be only focusing on the road.
In the winter, slippery roads and poor visibility are a major threat to safe driving. Many accidents happen during the winter months. Drivers should be extra vigilant in bad weather and give themselves extra time to get to their destination.
You can avoid a speeding ticket or car accident by maintaining an appropriate speed limit. Always keep your eyes on the road and maintain a safe speed that is suitable for the current conditions. Speed limits are not suggestions; they are the bare minimum for safe driving.
If you want to report a reckless driver, you should call 911 as soon as possible. If it’s unsafe to do so, take note of the car’s make, model, colour, and license plate number. You can also use any features available on your smartphone that allow you to save photos or video of the vehicle. This will help officers track down the driver so they can be taken off the road. Do not use your phone if you are the driver of the vehicle.
Conclusion: Drive Safely and Prevent Future Car Accidents
There are many factors that go into driving safely. These include, but are not limited to, understanding how to drive a car, following traffic laws, observing other drivers’ actions, and being aware of the different road conditions. This article has hopefully helped you to understand the main causes of car accidents and how to drive so as to reduce the likelihood of you being involved in one. Please drive safely.
