Top 5 Causes of Car Accidents

Posted on February 25, 2009 @ 4:21 am
by David Halbert

News channels each day report numerous of car accidents. Car accidents take place because of fault on the part of one driver or both. In this technologically advanced era where science has brought great comforts in our lives, we still find ourselves helpless against our fates. Following are the top five causes of car accidents.

Speeding

Speeding is recognized to be the most familiar and common cause of car accidents. Even the law binds us to drive fast, but time and again we ignore it to reach speedily to our destinations. The car manufacturers are creating great automobiles which can break speed limits; it persuades an individual to drive fast. The faster you would drive the less reaction time you would have. It is recommended to always follow the traffic rules, and keep an eye on your speed according to the speed sign on the road.

Bad Weather

No one has any control over weather and it may change within no time. It is always great to plan your trip ahead by watching weather forecasts on the TV, or by checking it on internet. However, if it is unavoidable to move in bad weather, you must take precautionary measures to remain safe. Fog, Snow, and rain always demand more care from a driver. It is advisable to drive slow, turn on car headlights, keep a safe distance from the car ahead, and don’t overtake or tailgate the car in front of you. Besides all these precautionary measures, your car should also be in good condition.

Driving When You Drunk

Medical science has developed a lot in the last decade. It clarifies that a person having blood alcohol level of .01 is not fit for driving. Studies show us the data where the majority of accidents happen at night as the driver is drunk. A drunken person not only puts his own life at risk, but also causes danger to other motorists on the road.

In drunken state, your judgment becomes weak and you are more likely to take risks. You don’t know if you are driving fast or rubbernecking. Your reflexes become weak and responsive time to any particular event increases. Always avoid driving when you are in such addictive state.

Fatigue and Sleepiness

Exhaustion and sleepiness are other main causes of car accidents. It is somewhat a stupid idea to drive at night when you are aware of the fact that you are tired and feeling sleepy. There are great numbers of car accidents taking place every year since driver at the wheel fell asleep. It is suggested to share driving duties with your partner and get regular breaks in order to avoid sleep. If your trip is long, you should hit a motel for a nap and drive in the morning with full attention.

Driver Distractions

According to specialists, driver disruption is one of the lead causes of road accidents. Things like talking on cell phone, using laptop, changing the stereo, talking to other passengers, and slowing down on highway to have a look at surroundings etc are hazardous distractions which could be a reason of a huge disaster. The traffic laws now restrict using cell phone whilst driving. Though, as a substitute, you could use hands free or Bluetooth, but you have got to keep full concentration on the road.

A responsible driver could not only save his life but also numerous other lives on the road. Always abide by the traffic regulations and limit your speed by learning road signs.

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