Road traffic accidents endanger the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. In most cases, vehicle crashes are attributed to human error, which means that drivers play the biggest role in avoiding accidents.
Read on to learn some of the common causes of major road accidents and how to wisely avoid them.
Distracted Driving
The primary cause of road accidents is distracted driving. Drivers are often distracted by different things when they are behind the wheel. For instance, using a cell phone while driving can lead to serious car crashes. Eating while driving can cause a serious accident since you are likely to lose concentration on the road. Tuning a stereo can also distract you from paying attention to the road.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Many road accidents are caused by people who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. When you are intoxicated, it is advisable to stay off the road completely. Drugs and alcohol can impair your vision, and you end up making poor judgments. It is also a good idea to use uber when you are under the influence of alcohol to save your life and the other road users.
Inexperience
Some drivers lack experience or are unlicensed, which contributes to a great number of road accidents. If you were injured in an accident that you think was caused by another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to get compensation from the wrongdoer. To achieve this, you may need to enlist the services of an experienced accident attorney in your state. In South Carolina, where truck accidents are common, specialized attorneys can offer assistance to help victims recover the compensation they deserve. If you hire a South Carolina truck accident attorney, you are likely to get maximum settlement since specialized lawyers know how to handle such cases. Most reputable law firms do not charge upfront legal fees until they win your case.
Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Poor vehicle maintenance also contributes to accidents. Mechanical problems like brake failure are the major causes of vehicle crashes. Other vehicular defects like worn-out tires, malfunctioning lights, and signals can also lead to crashes. If your car has a bad lighting system, this can affect its visibility to other motorists. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that your vehicle is well-serviced and roadworthy.
Failure to Obey Road Traffic Rules
Some drivers are just reckless, and they do not obey road signs, which can contribute to accidents. For instance, the most common cause of vehicle crashes is overtaking in prohibited zones. Other drivers do not check their blind spots before switching lanes. To prevent such accidents, it is essential to follow all rules even if you think that the road is clear.
Tailgating
Other drivers tend to drive too close to other vehicles on the road. The main problem of tailgating is that if the vehicle in front of your car suddenly stops, the chances of hitting it would be very high. Therefore, you must exercise caution when driving behind other cars or when you want to overtake other vehicles.
Speeding
Speeding is another factor that contributes to accidents in different places. When the vehicle is traveling at a faster speed, it becomes difficult to control or stop the car in the case of an emergency. As such, all motorists need to ensure that they maintain speed limits in different zones. Aggressive driving is another serious issue that leads to traffic accidents on the roads. When you drive aggressively, you pose a danger to the other road users. You need to be considerate and understand that you are not the only road user to save lives.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another cause of accidents, especially among truck drivers. Some drivers overwork to meet the employers’ delivery targets, but this is not healthy for drivers. Drivers must take some breaks to avoid sleeping behind the wheel.
Bad Weather and Animals
Bad weather conditions like fog, heavy rains, and snow can contribute to road accidents. To avoid such accidents, you must check the weather report before leaving for your trip. Alternatively, you can park your vehicle and proceed with your journey when the outlook is clear. Stray animals also contribute to road accidents. You need to be highly alert, especially when you are driving at night.
Road accidents are commonly caused by human errors, such as distracted driving, speeding, as well as alcohol and drug use. Other factors like fatigue and bad weather also contribute to hundreds of vehicle crashes across the world. Many people are injured, and others are killed in preventable road accidents every year. Therefore, it is wise to exercise caution when you are driving to ensure your safety on the road.