Everyone in the United States has been involved in a car accident at some point or another. In fact, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there are over 13 accidents every minute in the U.S. every year. That’s an average of over 16,000 accidents per day!
While many of these accidents are minor fender-benders that cause little more than a dent or scratch, others are much more serious—and even fatal. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 3-34 in the United States. So, what are the most common causes of these accidents? Keep reading to find out.
Distracted Driving
One of the most common and dangerous causes of car accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This can include talking on the phone, texting, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, and even fiddling with the radio.
According to Distraction.gov, 10% of all fatal crashes in 2016 were caused by distracted driving. That’s almost 4,000 deaths that could have been prevented if drivers had paid attention to the road!
Drunk Driving
Another common—and equally dangerous—cause of car accidents is drunk driving. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 28 people die every day in the United States due to drunk driving crashes. That’s one death every 51 minutes!
Not only is drunk driving extremely dangerous and deadly, but it’s also entirely preventable. If you’re going to be drinking, make sure you have a designated driver or take public transportation home. It’s not worth risking your life—or someone else’s—to save a few bucks on a cab fare.
Speeding
While speeding might not seem like as big a deal as distracted or drunk driving, it’s one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. According to MADD, speeding was a factor in almost 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2016.
Not only is speeding dangerous, but it’s also illegal in most states. So next time you’re tempted to put your foot down on the gas pedal, remember: it’s not worth risking your life to get where you’re going a few minutes faster.
Lack of Training
Truck accidents are some of the leading vehicular accident statistics in the country. It’s estimated that nearly 5,000 large trucks are in some accident annually. One of the main reasons for this is that many truck drivers don’t have the proper training to operate large vehicles safely. Furthermore, the lack of safety regulations in the trucking industry is a huge reason for these accidents.
Trucking companies should be liable for these accidents. Therefore, they should have the necessary professional at work for it. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help the victim get compensation for injuries and even fatalities. They can also mediate the problem between the driver and the trucking company.
Additionally, the next time you’re on the road and see a large truck headed your way, give them plenty of room and keep an eye out for any careless mistakes they might make. It could be the difference between life and death for you—and them.
Faulty Roads
Another reason for vehicular accidents is the poor condition of smaller roads. Many small towns and cities don’t have the funding to maintain or repair their roads, which can lead to potholes, uneven lanes, or even missing guard rails. These conditions make drivers more likely to be involved in an accident due to a mistake they made while navigating these tricky roads.
Bad Weather Conditions
Bad weather conditions are responsible for hundreds of deaths and injuries yearly—rain, snow, sleet, ice, fog—all factors that can lead to accidents. So make sure you’re extra cautious on the road during inclement weather. If possible, avoid nighttime driving during bad weather whenever possible.
If you follow these tips and take extra care while driving in any situation, you should be able to keep yourself—and your fellow drivers—out of harm’s way. And remember: always wear your seatbelt!
Young Drivers
It’s a scary statistic, but it’s true: drivers under 25 are involved in almost 30% of all car accidents.
So what can we do to help reduce these numbers? For one, we can focus on educating young people about safe driving habits. This starts with teaching them how to drive safely and giving them the skills they need to do so
Another critical factor is enforcing laws prohibiting reckless and dangerous driving, like speeding and drunk driving. We can also promote safe behavior by promoting campaigns that focus on accountability, such as a “no text” campaign or an anti-drunk driving initiative.
Car accidents are, unfortunately, all too common in the United States. While some are minor fender-benders that cause little more than a dent or scratch, others are much more serious—and even fatal. The good news is that many accidents are preventable if drivers use common sense and practice safe driving habits. So next time you’re behind the wheel, remember to stay focused and never drink and drive!
