Car accidents are one of the most devastating events you can find yourself involved in. Serious physical and psychological harm can occur when you’re in an accident, after all. Being aware of what the most common causes of car accidents can help you perfect your driving technique, and keep you safe from nasty accidents. To help you stay safe, here are seven of the most common causes of car accidents:
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1. DUI
Many of the worst, most-deadly auto accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence. These accidents become so dangerous because the driver at fault is usually unaware of their surroundings due to the effects of illicit substances. If you’re using a substance, and know that it will impact your ability to drive effectively and safely, you should always avoid getting behind the wheel. Doing so can save lives (including your own), and ensure you keep the roadways in your community safe for everyone. Staying sober while driving is key to avoiding potentially horrible psychological damage, or death.
2. Inclement Weather
Being visually impaired is dangerous when you’re driving. Heavy, inclement weather severely limits your view of the road and your surroundings. Additionally, rain, snow, and other inclement weather can cause dangerous road conditions, which will lead to you losing control of your vehicle. Especially if there’s ice on the road or heavy rain, you could lose control of your vehicle and end up in a nasty accident. You must avoid driving in inclement weather, as the chances of you getting into an accident are high enough that the risks are simply not worth it.
3. Distracted Driving
Not all accidents are caused simply because of an outside force. Distracted driving is now the top cause of many accidents, as people will mess with their radios, phones, and other personal devices as they’re driving. Especially on highways, even a second of distraction can cause you to get into a nasty accident. If you’re driving in a distracted manner, you’ll put yourself in a situation where you will almost certainly be at fault in your accident’s case as well. Wait to check your phone, and other personal devices, as this will save lives. If a distracted driver hits you, you must contact a solid, professional, car wreck attorney in Clarksville immediately.
4. Running Traffic Lights
Traffic lights are essential to keeping crowded roadways and intersections safe for drivers and pedestrians. By disobeying or running a traffic light, you are causing a glitch in the intended flow of traffic that could lead to serious accidents and even death. Even if you have a slight hesitation that you might be running through a red light, you should take the cautionary route and wait for the next green light to appear. Being aware of how other drivers are handling the lights is critical to keeping yourself and others on the road safe as well.
5. Improper Turns
When you’re making a turn, you must understand the proper way to do so. Especially with tight turns, or curvy country roads, it can be easy to underestimate the proper way to make a turn, especially if you’re distracted or speeding. By staying safe in other areas of your driving, turns will become much less of a potential danger. However, you should make it a regular practice to always pay complete attention to any turn you’re making (especially if you’re doing so in a multi-lane situation.
6. Road Hazards
Unfortunately, not all roads are well-maintained. In some cases, horrible weather or other events cause the road to become damaged, or hazards obstruct a roadway. Being aware of the road that you are driving on’s condition is critical to avoiding accidents. Be sure to go more slowly on any affected, hazardous road, and you’ll have a much easier time keeping yourself and others safe. Make sure to keep your car properly maintained as well, as this will help you avoid accidents as well.
7. Drowsy Driving
Even slight drowsiness can become extremely dangerous when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle. Nodding out is a recipe for disaster, as it can cause multiple seconds of you being completely unaware of your surroundings, causing you to panic, or crash. The potential of you steering yourself off of the roadway, or into another vehicle, is also drastically increased if you nod out. In instances where you feel even a bit drowsy, you should wait till you’re more awake and alert before getting behind the wheel.
Stay Safe on the Road in 2022
To make 2022 a safe year for yourself, and all the other drivers you share the roadway with, be sure to avoid these seven accident-causing practices. As you perfect your driving habits and skills, you’ll feel safer and more satisfied behind the wheel than you’ve ever been. With effort, focus, and determination, you can avoid all seven of these common causes of car accidents.
