Getting into a car crash is one of the worst things that can happen to you. It takes a toll on both your physical and mental health. You may have to spend lots of money on medical bills and car repairs. Even though most road users know about the safety rules, there is a lot of laxity around them. Here are some of the biggest factors that may contribute to a car crash while on the road:
Over Speeding
While driving fast may offer a thrilling experience, it puts you and other road users at risk. According to an auto accident lawyer Houston TX, over speeding is one of the most common causes of fatal accidents. High speed increases the possibility of getting into an accident and makes injuries more severe. Slower vehicles are less prone to accidents than faster ones.
When driving at a high speed, you may not have enough time to react. You will need a greater distance to stop when necessary. A slow vehicle, on the other hand, can stop immediately.
If a fast vehicle gets into an accident, the impact of the crash will be higher. It will, therefore, cause more injuries.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can contribute to a car crash. Even though it may be impossible to avoid minor distractions, it is important to be alert at all times. You may be distracted by things inside or outside the car. Common distractions when driving include talking on the phone or texting, attending to pets or children in the car, applying makeup, and eating. Even though they seem harmless, taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds may be all it takes to get into a serious accident.
Distracted driving inhibits your judgement and reaction time. It puts you and other road users in danger.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
All vehicles should be maintained regularly. Failure to perform regular upkeep increases the chances of getting into an accident. Bad brakes and bald tires should be addressed before you go out on the road. Maintenance will help you detect minor problems before they get out of hand.
Red Light Jumping
Many drivers cross without paying any attention to the red light in an attempt to save time and fuel. Even though it is a common practice, it can increase your chances of getting into an accident. Studies suggest that contrary to common misconception, following traffic signals actually helps you save time. It increases your chances of getting home safely.
If you jump the red lights, you endanger yourself and other commuters. You incite other drivers to try it and ultimately cause chaos on the road. You cause a lot of traffic jam and in the end, everyone is late to their destination.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is not only about over speeding. It is about driving without keeping other road users in mind. It is one of the biggest causes of road accidents. Changing lanes erratically on the motorway, for example, may force others to brake abruptly and get into accidents.
Another form of reckless driving is tailgating. It means being too close to the car in front of you. If the other car brakes suddenly, you won’t have enough time to react and may end up in a crash.
Fatigue
Driving when drowsy or tired increases your risk of getting into a crash. If you cannot stay awake, you shouldn’t be driving. Pull over and get some rest first. Studies show that fatigue plays a role in about 20 percent of all accidents.
Drunk Driving
Drinking is okay, but it can be disastrous when paired with driving. Alcohol impairs your judgement and lowers your concentration. It makes you dizzy and slow to react. When you are on the road, you must be alert. If you are unable to react to changing circumstances on the road, you are likely to get into an accident. Alcohol makes you more likely to take risks. The risk of getting into an accident doubles every time you increase your blood alcohol concentration by 0.05. While alcohol is the most commonly abused drug, it is not the only one. Certain medicines also affect your concentration. If you have a prescription, always ask your doctor if it is safe to drive.
Even though it is not always possible to prevent accidents, there are lots of things you can do to promote safety on the road. Most car accidents are a result of fatigue, reckless driving, distracted driving, and other dangerous habits. Observing the rules will keep you and other road users safe.