If you do an online search engine for the leading causes of car accidents, you’ll find that many sources list “distracted driving” as the primary culprit.
Whether someone is fiddling with the radio volume, biting into a hamburger, or tending to a pet in a passenger seat, distracted driving can lead to significant problems. Some accidents are fatal, while others cause injuries of varying degrees of seriousness.
Are you interested in learning about the leading causes of roadway and highway accidents? If so, keep reading to see what they are and how you can avoid them.
Distracted Driving
As was previously mentioned, distracted driving is the main cause of car accidents leading to injury or even death. While cars have never been safer in terms of technology and features, accidents out on the roadways and highways are still a commonplace reality.
One reason is that people can often get distracted by the technology and features. For instance, trying to enter an address into the in-dash GPS can mean focusing on the unit rather than on the roadway.
If you’re traveling at 55 mph, your car moves at around 80 feet a second. So, if you’re distracted for even a few seconds at that speed, you might not realize what’s happening until you rear-end the vehicle ahead of you. When you’re driving, that should be your primary focus. If you need to answer your smartphone or tend to a pet, pull over and do so.
Driving Too Fast
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that speeding is one of the primary causes of car accidents. There are many good reasons to abide by the speed limit. If you’re driving too fast, you could be pulled over by the authorities and ticketed — and you could see your insurance rates increase if you rack up too many demerit points. But there are more severe repercussions.
Driving too fast can also increase your odds of getting into a vehicle accident that causes injury or worse. If you’re ever involved in a vehicle accident and are hurt, one thing you should do is contact a car accident attorney. Such a legal professional can advise you, answer your questions, and help you obtain any compensation you may be entitled to.
Driving While Impaired
Did you know that around 32 people in the U.S. die every day in drunk-driving crashes? That adds up to one death every 45 minutes. While it seems common sense to avoid driving while impaired, it happens far too often. And this is even though many well-publicized campaigns have warned people to drive only when sober.
If you’re out and about and decide to consume alcohol, ensure you arrange beforehand how you’ll get home. You can go out with a friend who doesn’t drink, arrange a ride via a ride-sharing service, call a taxi, or have someone you know pick you up.
Driving in Poor Weather Conditions
Have you ever had a white-knuckle experience while driving in poor weather conditions? Whether icy roads, blizzard conditions, heavy rain, or thick fog, you risk getting into trouble if you’re on the road when the weather makes driving hazardous.
It’s best to stay off the road during such occasions. Otherwise, poor visibility or unsafe road conditions can increase your odds of getting into trouble on the roadways and highways. It’s just not worth it.
Conclusion
When it comes to driving, you need to focus on the task at hand. It’s also important to be aware of weather and road conditions that could increase the odds of problems on the road. Various fortes contribute to car accidents. It pays to know the risks and to exercise caution.
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