The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are more than 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. While many of these accidents are minor, others result in serious injury or death. What factors contribute to these accidents, and what can be done to prevent them? In this report, we will take a closer look at some of the most common causes of car accidents.
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Keeping a distance from another vehicle
When driving, it is important to maintain a safe following distance. This will help avoid collisions and road rage incidents. The best way to do this is by using the two-second rule. The “two-second rule” means that you should remain at least two seconds behind the car in front of you when driving on the highway unless there are hazards in your way or traffic slows down unexpectedly. Following too closely can cause accidents because it forces other drivers off the road and into intersections without enough time to react to your vehicle’s presence. It also makes merging difficult for vehicles coming from side streets onto highways, so be considerate of their need for space by keeping a little more distance between yourself and them while they attempt this maneuver.
Road rage
Road rage describes the behavior of a motorist who aggressively tailgates or cuts off another car on purpose. This dangerous activity can force other drivers into accidents that they might have been able to avoid if they’d remained focused on their driving rather than on another driver’s belligerence. Keep in mind that most road ragers are not trying to target you personally, so do your best to ignore them and keep driving. If they start shouting at you or making obscene gestures, simply continue heading straight ahead without engaging them or making eye contact with the individual. Should an altercation escalate into an actual car accident, call the police immediately and ask for assistance getting the other party’s information.
Furthermore, if they have caused some heavy damage to your car you should call your lawyer as well. If you live in the Georgia area an attorney for car accidents in Atlanta will be of great aid to make sure your legal right is defended. In most cases, the individuals who caused the accident will be held responsible for damages and you will get compensation.
Driving while impaired
Impaired driving takes many forms: drunk driving, drugged driving, and texting while driving is just a few of the most common forms. All of these dangerous behaviors have become major concerns among car accident lawyers and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Drunk driving is the most well-known and common type of impaired driving, and it can easily lead to deadly accidents. However, drugged driving has become increasingly popular as more states legalize medical marijuana and decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug. While you may not perceive such behavior as dangerous, studies show that drugs can impair your judgment behind the wheel as much as alcohol, if not more so.
Texting while driving is perhaps the most dangerous of all impaired driving behaviors because the driver’s eyes and attention are removed from the road for a significant amount of time. According to research by Car & Driver magazine, drivers who text spend 5 seconds looking at their phone – this may not sound like much, but it’s enough time to travel the length of a basketball court at 55 mph.
Driving with poor visibility
Poor visibility can be a major factor in road accidents because it limits your ability to see other drivers, pedestrians, and dangers on the roadway. Some of the most common causes of poor visibility are fog, haze, dust, smoke, smog, heavy rain, or snowfall. It is important to drive cautiously while visibility is impaired because you won’t be able to see as far ahead of you or around curves. If you begin to feel overwhelmed while driving in fog, turn on your lights and hazard signals to make your car more visible to other drivers.
In order to properly address poor visibility, you should slow down when the weather reduces visibility or if you do not see other cars on the road. If you cannot see for at least 100 feet in front of your vehicle, you should turn on your low beams. If it is still too dark to clearly see the roadway ahead, pull over and stop until conditions improve – never drive with parking lights alone because these only illuminate a small area of the road and do not improve visibility.
Driving in the wrong lane
Many car accidents happen because drivers fail to notice when they are making a wrong turn. Even worse, some drivers speed up in an attempt to “beat the light” when they realize that they have made a mistake by entering an intersection or turning into oncoming traffic.
It’s important to remember that you should always stay attentive when you are driving and pay close attention to your surroundings. If you begin to drive in the wrong lane, simply correct your course as soon as possible and continue on without disrupting traffic. Reckless driving is a serious offense so try to be careful at all times.
Speeding
Many car accidents are caused by speeding drivers who are unable to apply their brakes in time to avoid hitting another vehicle or driving off the road. Speeding may also lead to dangerous driving behaviors such as tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic. Speeding is a contributing factor to nearly one-third of all fatal car accidents in the U.S., making it a major cause of road fatalities.
The best way to avoid speeding-related accidents is by obeying the speed limit at all times. Driving over the speed limit by even a few miles per hour can greatly increase your stopping distance, putting you and other drivers on the road in danger.
Road accidents can have many different causes, but some behaviors are more common than others. Texting while driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and speeding are all major contributors to car accidents. It is important to be aware of these dangers and take steps to avoid them whenever possible. Drivers should always obey the speed limit, drive cautiously in poor visibility conditions, and never text while behind the wheel. By following these simple tips, you can help keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe.
