Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries and death around the world. Whether they’re minor or serious, they can potentially change one’s life for good. If you’re injured, you may have to deal with a lot of consequences, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and many more. However, if you’re the other driver and your negligence caused the collision, you may have to deal with civil or criminal liabilities, depending on the circumstances.
Thus, to avoid this kind situation, keep reading this article to learn about the top five causes of car accidents and how you can prevent them.
- Distracted Driving
One of the most popular causes of vehicular accidents is distracted driving. Whether you believe you can multitask, doing other things while driving isn’t ideal. Doing something else while driving is considered distracted driving. If you’re talking to the phone, texting, or even eating while handling the vehicle, you’re unable to focus on what’s on the road, thereby endangering yourself and others out there.
When this happens, you could harm other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Also, when you’re found guilty of distracted driving in California or wherever you’re located, you may have to get an SR22 insurance as a requirement. To know more about this insurance, check out and browse around here for more information.
However, if you want to avoid dealing with hearings in the future, be sure you’re keeping your hands on the wheel and staying focused on the road. For example, put your phone on silent mode, connect it with your car’s infotainment system, or turn it off so you won’t be tempted to use it while driving. If you need to use your phone for whatever reason, find a safe place to do so.
- Speeding
Most drivers fail to observe the required speed limit when they’re in a hurry. As a result, you put yourself, your passengers, and other people on the road in danger. Typically, driving beyond the speed limit gives you a shorter reaction time and a shorter braking distance between the vehicle or obstacle in front of you. When this happens, you could be involved in a car collision with other vehicles or even cause thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage. Try driving at a slower speed below the speed limit to allow a wide gap between you and the car in front of you.
- Driving Under The Influence
Another common cause for car accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances. When you’re intoxicated, your ability to drive safely is impaired, as your motor skills and cognitive functioning are severely affected, thereby exposing yourself and others to a possible road accident.
If you’ve had too much to drink after a get-together, give your keys to a sober friend or your designated driver and let them drive you home. Otherwise, you could take a cab or call an Uber driver to get you home safely. Whenever possible, “no” is an appropriate response to avoid drinking if you’re even thinking of driving.
- Reckless Driving
Being reckless on the road can also contribute to the increasing number of car accidents happening around the world. Generally, reckless driving can be demonstrated in several ways. If you’re changing lanes abruptly without engaging your turn signals, willfully disregarding the safety of others, or behaving aggressively on the road, you’re committing reckless driving.
To ensure you’re not careless while you’re on the road, remain calm and take your time while driving. Refrain from acting impulsively to avoid needless incidents due to recklessness.
- Drowsy Driving
Driving when feeling fatigued is never a good idea as it affects your ability to operate a vehicle on the road safely. Whether you’re driving exhausted, driving for long hours, or driving at a time when you should be sleeping—all these should be avoided to avoid minor or serious accidents.
If you think you’re too sleepy, too tired, or can’t stay awake throughout the drive, it’s best not to stay behind the wheel. Pull over somewhere safe and take a quick nap or grab a cup of coffee. Better yet, let another person take the wheel or don’t drive if you haven’t had enough rest. That way, you can keep yourself, your passengers, and other individuals on the road safe and sound.
The Bottom Line
Before you operate your vehicle and potentially put yourself and others in danger, think about your loved ones and how amazing your life is. By doing so, you’ll appreciate what you have and realize how important it is to drive safe. Remember, the more precautions you take while driving, the more you can protect yourself and others from anything you might regret.
