Top causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
The history of the automobile dates back to the 1700’s when steam powered vehicles were developed. The invention of the internal combustion engine and then mass production of automobiles led to the number of vehicles on the road increasing and this has brought us to the present day when there are literally millions of vehicles using the highways and byways on a daily basis. There are good sides and bad sides to this with one of the negative points being accidents. With so many vehicles on the road it is inevitable that accidents will happen on a daily basis and some of the top reasons for this include the following.
Driver Distraction
When driving, it is important that the attention of the driver is focused on the road and other vehicles around them. Even when travelling at relatively slow speeds, events can happen quickly and a driver has to have their wits about them to react quickly to any given situation. Anything that distracts them from the task at hand can therefore be a problem and driver distraction is one of the main causes of accidents. Using a mobile phone without hands free is an example of this as not only is the driver distracted by a conversation on the phone but they also take a hand of the steering wheel. A worse example can be people that text while they drive, as this can completely take their attention from the road. However there can be many reasons while people can be distracted while driving and this can include trying to change the radio, talking to others in the vehicle and trying to read maps. Remaining focused on the road is important while driving if you want to greatly reduce the chances of being involved in an accident.
Alcohol and Drugs
The taking of alcohol or drugs and driving is something that does not mix well and is most likely to end in an accident. Drinking and driving is a common cause of accidents and while most people are responsible and avoid doing so, there are those that still think they can get away with it. When going out and taking the car it is always best to nominate a designated driver who should avoid drinking before getting behind the wheel. Drinking alcohol or taking drugs can blur vision, slow reaction time and make you less aware of the dangers around you. This is obviously going to affect your driving skills to the point where if you get out of the car without damaging yourself or someone else you are lucky. However luck generally does not last and if you continue to do it the chances are you will become an accident statistic.
Tiredness
People who drive for a living or those that take road trips can spend a lot of time behind the wheel. This can be tiring and driver fatigue is a common cause of accidents. It is always sensible to stop and tale breaks every few hours when driving and if not alone to swap drivers regularly. Taking a break can be a life saver and pushing yourself to the point that you are on the verge of sleeping is something that is likely to cause an accident. It only takes a few seconds for a mistake to be made and if your eyes close because of tiredness, it can easily be the cause of an accident.
Speeding
Generally the faster you go in a vehicle the less time you have to react to a given situation and also the more distance you will need to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. Speed Kills has been a common safety message over the years and sticking to the speed limits of a road can go a long way to reducing the risk of an accident. The faster you are going if you are involved in an accident the more severe it is likely to be and this means you could end up a fatality rather than being injured.
Weather
While driving in sunny, warm weather can be a pleasure it is not so much fun in the middle of a sever rain storm or blizzard. The weather in the winter especially can make driving dangerous as wet and icy roads can make it more difficult to control a vehicle and harder to stop quickly. Even when paying full attention to the road, the effects of the weather can still result in accidents and driving in bad conditions is something to be avoided if possible. If you have to drive leave plenty of room to the vehicle in front and if the weather gets too severe pull over and wait for things to calm down a little before resuming a journey. Bad weather makes driving more difficult and the weather is a common cause of traffic accidents.
The car has been a great invention and is something that many people rely on every day to get around. However it pays to be careful when getting behind the wheel, as accidents are all too common and being the cause of one is something that you can pay dearly for. The factors shown above are some of the common causes of accidents and being aware of these can help to reduce the chances of becoming a road traffic accident statistic.
