Car accidents are dangerous and scary situations. The consequences can go from stress and property damage to injury, medical expenses, lost wages, and even death.
While some accidents are beyond human control, like those caused by bad weather, others can be avoided.
An effective way to prevent yourself from getting into a car accident is by educating yourself about this topic. When you understand the top reasons behind them, it’s easier to prepare yourself to avoid or better handle these situations.
That said, check out in this article a list of the most common causes of car accidents and some general tips to avoid them!
Distracted Driving
Not paying complete attention to the road is the cause of a lot of accidents. This can happen if the driver is paying more attention to another passenger, their cell phone, or due to any other kind of distraction.
Driving Whilst Drunk
Drinking and driving can cause harm to the person behind the wheel and others. When a person drinks, their cognitive functions become compromised.
The same can happen when people use other types of drugs too. Your ability to make decisions and your reactions become slow, and you cannot respond the same way as a sober person.
Therefore, you must never drive while under the influence of any kind of drug.
Reckless Behaviour Whilst Driving
A reckless driver can be tailgating, cutting other drivers off, or even weaving in and out of traffic. These kinds of attitudes can cause a lot of different accidents.
The best way to deal with it is getting out of their way, giving them space, and practicing defensive driving. After that, you can call the police and report it so they can deal with the situation in a safer way.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the main causes of traffic accidents. By driving faster, you are setting yourself up to have a slowed reaction time. Therefore, the chances of preventing an accident are from lower to nearly impossible. The situation can also be aggravated by other circumstances like weather or road conditions.
Ignoring Stop Signs and Traffic Lights
A lot of rollover car accidents are caused by drivers running stop signs. The same can also result in side-impact and many other such occurrences.
Running a red light is a practice drivers use to save some time. However, the result is that 40% of car accidents that happen at intersections occur when people run a stop sign or red light. Those persons who are injured in motor vehicle accidents often seek legal advice from car accident injury lawyers Perth.
The Weather
Driving while it is raining or snowing can be very challenging. The car can slide, and the driver can lose control.
So it is fundamental not only to prepare your car for the different seasons but to understand when you should or should not drive.
Fatigue Whilst Driving
If you are feeling sleepy, that can impact your ability to properly understand the road conditions. It can also reduce your response and reaction to unexpected events while driving.
The Condition of The Road
A badly maintained road can result in accidents like a popped tire or loss of control. If you encounter a pothole, for instance, the best way to deal with it is to avoid it by driving around it. You can also take a different and safer route if possible.
Vehicle Malfunction
It is not always possible to prevent this kind of problem. But the best way to try to avoid it is regularly having your car checked by a professional.
You can also change the oil regularly and keep tyres properly inflated. By performing engine maintenance regularly, you can reduce the risk of an accident.
Night Driving
Many drivers are not aware, but nighttime driving is responsible for almost doubling the risk of traffic accidents.
It can be really hard to see what is next to you on the road, and the same goes for what is ahead or behind you. Therefore, it is essential to pay extra attention to your surroundings at night.
Dangerous Lane Changes
Before changing lanes, it is crucial to be attentive to what is around your vehicle on either side of the road.
Make sure to have plenty of space between you and the person in front of you before passing them. If you don’t have the space, then don’t do it. Many people are cut off in these situations, which can lead to car accidents. Don’t be one of them. Choose to practice defensive driving. Your safety comes first! And if you really want to be safe while traveling you should consider getting a first-aid certificate.
Wrong-Way Driving
This can be very dangerous because the other drivers are not expecting to encounter someone coming from that direction. So when that happens, people are not always ready to have a quick response.
It can occur because of a wrong turn, especially if the driver is unfamiliar with that area. That’s why it is so important to pay attention to signs that indicate one-way roads.
Road Rage
Unfortunately, it is not unusual to find angry drivers. Being in busy traffic can indeed be stressful, but rage can make the situation even worse.
Accidents happen when drivers let their anger take over and they are unable to solve a problem civilly, leading to thoughtless actions.
How to Prevent Car Accidents?
Now that you know the most common reasons for car accidents, it’s fundamental that you learn some general tips to avoid them and reinforce the importance of good driving practices. Check them out!
- When driving, do it slowly. Take some time to look around and listen. Be aware of your surroundings and the blind spots like in the rear mirror or signs on the road. Be cautious while pulling into an intersection.
- Try to reduce distractions as much as possible. Including cell phones, communicating with other passengers, changing radio stations, and any other activity that can make you shift your attention from the road. You should always try to focus on the traffic while driving.
- Practice defensive driving. Do not speed up, and do not get too close to other cars. Defensive driving is about taking your time, feeling secure enough to drive, and always trying to avoid dangerous situations.
Take your time and drive safe folks.
