The majority of road crashes (94% to be precise) are caused by human mistakes, and while some are not so serious and may cause minor injuries, thousands of lives are taken every year by gruesome collisions. Over half of all deaths caused by road accidents are among vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. These accidents present disaster, pain, and personal loss, while on the other hand much of it is preventable.
Below you can find the explanation of the most important factor that may lead to catastrophic collisions as well as prevention ideas.
Over Speeding
Many of us have driven over the speed limit at some point, usually when in a hurry. Being focused on a schedule or our destination makes us speed up without even being aware of it. Speeding is the second most common cause of road accidents, as the impact of the accident collision becomes greater, the faster we drive. It also multiples the severity of the injuries one can sustain in a collision. It’s pure physics, so we should never underestimate the importance of speed limits. Another form of speeding on the road is known as red light jumping. It is commonly seen at the intersections that vehicles cross without caring for the light, which often results in creating chaos.
Driving Under Influence
Drivers under the influence of either alcohol, drugs, or a combination of these two are responsible for nearly thirty percent of all traffic casualties. Substance abuse reduces concentration and decreases the reaction time of the human body. Limbs, therefore, take much more to react to the instructions of the brain. Driving under the influence also hampers vision due to dizziness, which puts everyone in great danger. Some medicines can also affect the skills and concentration necessary for driving, which is usually stated in a side effect section and should be always checked. Needless to say that when involved in an accident while intoxicated, even if it wasn’t your fault, you will be legally responsible for the crash.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become the number one cause of motor vehicle accidents in the past few decades. Distraction is defined as any activity that could divert attention from the primary task of driving so it may include tasks like eating, drinking, chatting, switching radio stations, or adjusting the rear view mirrors. The most common distraction while driving in modern days is the use of smartphones for texting and talking. It is found that drivers who use mobile phones are about 4 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Also, it is good to keep in mind that hands-free phones are not much safer than regular smartphones.
Avoiding Safety Gear
Use of a seat belt in a four-wheeler is now obligatory. The same goes for wearing helmets for two-wheeler drivers, especially considering that number of motorcycle accidents has gone up recently. Safety gears are designed to keep you intact and safe in case of accidents if used according to standard. However, even if you do everything by the book, there are situations in which someone else is at fault. In these cases, wearing safety gear might save your life. Also, make sure to have a Dallas motorcycle accident attorney always in your contact list, as in cases of road traffic accidents you will want a professional by your side.
Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
As everyone leads busy, stressful lives, many of us are so tired that we may accidentally fall asleep just about anywhere, including behind the wheel, which often has catastrophic consequences. For a tired and sleepy driver, it’s quite a bit of a challenge to stay focused and pay attention to the road as the tiredness slows down the reaction time. Sleep is our biological need with many predictable patterns, so it is best to avoid driving when you would normally be sleeping, or even feel like you would rather be in bed than behind the wheel.
Driving Unsafe Vehicles
Vehicle maintenance is one of the crucial factors to be considered when taking part in road traffic. Driving safe vehicles play an important role in avoiding crashes and reducing the likelihood of severe injury. There are several vehicle safety regulations including stability control that would potentially save many lives if applied to production standards every time. As an individual, you are obligated to make sure all the critical features of your vehicle are working properly. Doing regular checkups considerably decreases the chances of system failure in the middle of the road, causing a collision.
Although countless technological advances are designed to improve vehicle and passenger safety, too many road collisions still happen. As explained above, the causes of road accidents are different, but understanding the most common issues can help us prevent them.
