Auto collisions have become worryingly prevalent in the U.S. Each year, approximately 6 million car accidents occur, and about 3 million people get injured. Fatality is estimated to be over 90 people every day.
Question is:
But what contributes to these vehicle collisions? There is a long list of factors, but the most common include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Alcohol-impaired driving
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Poor road maintenance
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is ranked high on the list of most common causes of auto collisions. It is a dangerous activity that claims thousands of lives every year. In 2018 alone, distracted driving led to 2,841 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Drivers should not engage in any activity that diverts their attention from driving.
Here are some of the distractive activities to avoid.
- Texting or talking on your phone
- Eating or drinking
- Using a navigation system
- Grooming yourself
- Talking to people in your vehicle while looking at them
Speeding
When you drive above the speed limit, the risk of a crash happening becomes significantly high. It is because, by the time you realize you need to react, you would have come closer to the danger.
With reduced stopping distance, your first instinct would be to brake harder. The collision will also be harder, and this usually leads to more severe injuries and property damage.
During the last two decades, speeding has caused one-third of all fatalities related to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. And most speeding crashes typically involve several vehicles and other road users.
Alcohol-impaired driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the risk of vehicle accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 29 Americans die every day in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving.
It doesn’t matter whether the substance is legal or illegal. Driving while intoxicated jeopardizes road safety because alcohol and drugs impair your ability to act reasonably. The substances slow your coordination, judgment, and reaction times.
Drivers who take cocaine can become aggressive and reckless, and this goes against traffic laws.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is another common reason for auto collisions. It involves breaking moving traffic laws and subjecting other road users or property to danger. The NHTSA, through the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), identifies the actions that constitute aggressive driving. They include, but not limited to:
- Tailgating
- Switching lanes erratically
- Running red lights
- Failure to signal turns or lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Ignoring traffic signs
- Ignoring warning signs displayed on other drivers’ vehicles
- Driving in prohibited zones
- Driving too fast for conditions.
Drowsing Driving
Driving when you’re too tired or sleepy to remain alert is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. However, drowsy driving accidents don’t usually result in many injuries and fatalities. It is because most of the crashes often occur between midnight and 6 a.m., a time when there isn’t much traffic jam on the roads. Also, the accidents most frequently involve a single driver.
Risk Factors
You may be at the risk of drowsy-driving if you don’t get enough sleep even for just one night. According to a study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers who slept for less than 6 hours in the last 24 hours were nearly twice as likely to get into a collision.
There are categories of people who face even much higher risk.
· Night or rotating shift workers.
· People with obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome.
· People who take drugs that cause drowsiness as a side effect.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Dangerous weather is among the leading causes of car accidents and severe injuries. On average, nearly 21% of car crashes are weather-related. A vast majority of the crashes are due to slippery roads, limited visibility, extreme temperature, and high winds.
The conditions can affect driver capabilities, as well as vehicle performance on different aspects like traction, stability, and maneuverability.
Poor Road Maintenance
Maneuvering a road full of potholes is not only frustrating but also endangers lives. Most vehicle operators will drive around the potholes to avoid causing any damage to their cars. Unfortunately, they may accidentally swerve into another lane with oncoming traffic that might be at high speed.
Involved in a vehicle collision? Contact a car accident lawyer today
You can practice safe and responsible driving at all times, but other drivers may not act as diligently as they should. If you have been hurt in a crash, get in touch with a New Orleans car accident lawyer, The Mahone Firm, today at (504) 564-7342 for a free case evaluation.
