Did you know there are almost 43,000 fatal car crashes in the U.S. annually? While even one death is too many, the deadly car crash rate is south of 1%. So, it’s not all doom and gloom.
But for every fatal car accident, there are many times more injuries that require emergency room visits, follow-up family doctor visits, physiotherapy appointments, and more.
One way to deal with the mounting costs of getting better is to contact a car accident lawyer for compensation.
Primary causes of car accidents include aggressive driving, speeding, and drowsy driving. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to these causes for on-the-road fender-benders, there are other things some motorists do that can make roads unsafe for themselves and others.
Keep reading to see five of the top reasons for car accidents and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a problem. Anything that diverts your attention from the road increases the odds of an accident that injures you, other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. One popular distraction source is the cell phone. In fact, the percentage of fatal distracted-driving collisions involving cell phone use was 11.7% in 2021, according to the National Safety Council.
Looking at your phone for even a few seconds can increase your risk of a severe crash. So, too, can allowing your pet, child, or someone else to distract you. When driving, focus on driving.
2. Impaired Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 37 people in the U.S. die every day in drunk-driving collisions. If you do the math, that works out to one fatality every 39 minutes. Everyone knows that drinking and driving is a bad idea — but many people do so anyway. That’s one reason why impaired driving is a primary cause of car accidents in the U.S.
In the U.S., the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is capped at 0.08%. If your BAC is higher than that, you are legally too drunk to drive. So, if you’re going to drink, travel with a designated driver who won’t drink, call a cab or Uber, or have a loved one or friend pick you up.
3. Driving Too Fast
Have you ever encountered drivers who seem to drive faster when the weather and road conditions are bad? If so, you know that speeding can lead to vehicle accidents. According to the National Safety Council, speeding played a role in almost three of 10 — 29% — traffic deaths in 2021. That worked out to around 33 deaths per day and a total of 12,330 deaths in 2021.
If you have a heavy foot and drive above the speed limit, consider the risks. That’s especially true if the road conditions warrant reducing your speed below the posted limit.
4. Ignoring Traffic Signs
Drivers who ignore traffic signs also increase the risk of accidents on the roadway. If you throw caution to the wind and go through a red light, one or more drivers with the right of way could hit your car or vice-versa. Respecting traffic lights, stop signs, and other signs is a must. If you ignore the rules of the road and get into an accident, you could face financial penalties.
5. Driving When Fatigued
Driving when you’re too tired to operate a vehicle is never a good idea. Your reaction time will decline substantially, making it hard to focus on the road. If you’re too tired to drive, don’t drive.
These are five of the top reasons people get into car accidents. The good news is you can avoid these problems by exercising proper driving habits. You can avoid problems and keep yourself and others safe.