Car accidents
can happen to anyone at any time. One minute you’re cruising along a familiar street, and the next you’ve been hit by someone backing out of their driveway too quickly.Studies have shown that more than half of car accidents happen within five miles of home–a scary statistic considering that we feel more comfortable driving on familiar roads.
Read on to learn what the top 5 causes of car accidents are and how to avoid them
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Speeding
You probably knew this was coming. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents. It's also one of the most preventable. And even if you don't get into an accident, it's still likely that you'll get caught and receive a ticket on your record
. Always obey speed limit signs, particularly in poor weather conditions. Wet or icy roads require driving at much slower speeds so that you have more time to react in the event of an accident. Always avoid speeding on highways, where greater speeds and more cars can create a perfect storm for fatal accidents.
Distracted driving
We like to pin this one on teenagers, but adults are just as guilty. Whether you’re talking on the phone, texting while driving
, or simply adjusting the radio, distracted driving takes your attention away from the road and the cars around you. When you’re in the car, focus your attention on just driving. Be sure to adjust any mirrors, GPS devices, or comfort features before hitting the road.
Reckless driving
Sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us while driving. If you’ve ever changed lanes abruptly or without signaling, sped up to pass someone in a no-passing zone, or followed too closely behind another car to encourage them to go faster, then you are guilty of reckless driving.
Reckless driving causes accidents. If you’re a reckless driver, then it is time to change your behavior. If you notice another driver behaving recklessly, keep your distance and monitor their behavior.
Running red lights and stop signs
Rolling through red lights
or stop signs may seem like minor infractions, but this offense is a known cause of car accidents.At intersections, running red lights can easily lead to car crashes. Even if you are diligent about stopping for red lights and stop signs, you should always take care to look both ways to make sure that no one else is putting you in danger by speeding through stops.
Drunk driving
A blatantly obvious top cause of car accidents is drunk driving. It’s important to remember that even a few drinks can result in drunk driving, as your reaction time will be slowed and you'll be putting others at risk. Always appoint a designated driver and never let your friends or family members get into the driver’s seat if they’ve been drinking.
On top of a potentially fatal car accident, you'll also receive a DUI
for driving under the influence. This will stay on your record for years and raise your car insurance
premiums. Driving is such a common action that we often forget how dangerous it can be. Identifying the top causes of car accidents can help you practice safer, more responsible driving so that you always arrive safely.