Despite the increasingly advanced capabilities of vehicles on the roadway, millions of accidents occur across the United States every year.
Accidents can cause fatalities, injuries, property damage, and other negative consequences. The good news is that many accidents have a human error component and can be avoided. But the bad news is that bad habits are hard to break — which is one reason for the many accidents.
If involved in a vehicle collision as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, your life could become more complicated than you ever thought possible. It’ll be a stressful ordeal, but it’ll arguably be worse if you’re named the at-fault party since negative consequences may follow. You’ll certainly want to retain the services of a good criminal defense lawyer to handle your case.
But if you’d like to reduce the risks and keep the roads safe for you and others, here are three of the most common causes of accidents on the road and how to avoid becoming another statistic.
- Distracted Driving
Nine people in the U.S. die every day in collisions involving distracted drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When driving, you should focus entirely on the task at hand. Some people overestimate their ability to multitask, and that can have disastrous consequences. By simply focusing on driving when behind the wheel, you can avoid problems.
Eating your lunch, playing with your dog, reading or sending text messages, talking on the phone, or combing your hair can wait until you’re safely parked in an appropriate area. There’s no excuse for doing anything that takes your attention off the road when you’re driving.
- Driving Too Fast
Posted speed limits aren’t there for decorations. And they’re not recommendations either. The speed limit indicates the maximum speed you can drive in ideal road and weather conditions. If it’s raining cats and dogs outside or the roads are busy, you will want to dial down the speed.
The National Safety Council reports that speeding factored into 29% — almost three in 10 — traffic deaths in 2023. That means 11,775 deaths, working out to an average of north of 32 deaths on a typical day. Saying that driving too fast can cause carnage on the road isn’t an over-exaggeration. The statistics demonstrate that speeding is a dangerous driving habit.
You can reduce your risks by slowing down. It’s as simple as that. If you need to get to an appointment, leave early to avoid the need to put the pedal to the metal. The risks associated with speeding are too great to throw caution to the wind and exceed the posted speed limit.
- Drunk or Impaired Driving
Another cause of accidents on the roads is drunk or impaired driving. Everyone knows by now that drinking and driving — or driving while impaired — is a no-no. Even kids in elementary school are taught the dangers. But that doesn’t stop many people from doing it anyway.
Around three in 10 traffic collision deaths are linked to drunk drivers. If you’re going to drink, ensure you don’t drive. Call a cab, get an Uber, ask a friend or family member to pick you up, or take public transportation. There’s never an excuse to get behind the wheel of a car if drunk or impaired. The risks are too high, and it’s one of the most irresponsible things someone could do.
Most vehicle accidents are avoidable. It’s about avoiding distracted driving, driving too fast, and drunk and impaired driving. Safe driving isn’t just about following the law — as important as that is. It’s about being mindful, prepared, and respectful of others on the road.
Remember that driving is not a right — it’s a privilege. You don’t want to do anything to lose that privilege.
