There are a number of factors that you must pay attention to so as to drive safely and reduce the occurrence of accidents. Drink driving, driving while distracted, speeding and faulty motor vehicles are some of the most common causes of accidents.
Drink driving is one of the most common causes of accidents. The statistics have improved because of stricter penalties being meted out on drink drivers and on people who are found guilty of a DUI(driving under the influence). Drink driving accidents increase during weekends because of increased drinking in this period.
Distracted driving is another top cause of motor vehicle accidents. Use of mobile phones is one of the most distracting things while driving. A person talking on the phone or texting is said to be more dangerous than a person who is driving under the influence of alcohol. This is because someone on the phone will have their attention somewhere else and the reflexes are not as sharp. Should a situation arise where a reaction that is needed to prevent an accident such as swerving, then the person is more likely than not to have a delayed reaction resulting in an accident. Other distractions are caused by other passengers and children, rubber necking, reading or looking at the scenery.
Speeding is another common cause of accidents. Speeding is considered the cause of an accident if a driver was found to have a speeding related offense or when a police indicated that racing was the cause of the accident. Other causes are driving too fast in conditions such as wet weather and where there is impaired visibility like when there is fog or when the driver exceeded the speed limit of a particular area.
Driver fatigue may result in falling asleep which causes at least one hundred thousand deaths in the US. The risk is greatest between 10 pm and 8 am. To avoid this kind of accidents caused by fatigue the driver should try as much as possible to be well rested, if travelling for long distances, share driving duties with another driver to get some relief. If you cannot get another driver, plan your trip with designated rest stops and sleepover in motels and when you feel drowsy, pull over until you are fully awake then continue your journey.
Inexperienced drivers and those of a young age, also cause a high proportion of accidents. If you are a parent with a young driver such as a teenager, ensure that you train them on safety and to avoid behaviors like texting while driving, drink driving, wearing a safety belt always and following traffic rules.
There are certain things that you can do to help keep yourself safe as you drive. Avoid drink driving, take a cab if you must drink because if you are caught, the penalties are stiff and you will need a DUI attorney to help you in court. Wear a safety belt, many fatalities that happen would have been prevented if the driver or passenger was wearing a safety belt. Take your car for regular servicing so that the probability of having an accident caused by a faulty car will be reduced.
