Car accident fatalities have dropped substantially over the decades. According to the National Safety Council, 33.38 people died for every 10,000 cars on the road in 1913. That number dropped to 1.50 per 10,000 vehicles in 2022 — an improvement of 95%.
While the death rate drop is good news, there’s still work to be done before tooting one’s horn. The don’t-drink-and-drive message has been promoted for many decades, but that hasn’t stopped many drivers. Drunk drivers cause accidents that lead to injuries and death.
Drunk driving is a main cause of car accidents, but that’s just one of many reasons for collisions. Keep reading to see three of the top reasons people get into fender benders on the road.
Drunk Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that around 37 people in the U.S. die every day in drunk-driving collisions. In 2022, the death toll equated to 13,524. One of the travesties about drunk driving is that it’s wholly unnecessary. If you’re going out with friends and fancy having a drink, there are many options for getting home. You can call a cab, book an Uber, call a friend or family member, or get a ride from a non-drinker in your group.
Driving while intoxicated will increase your risk of getting into accidents that negatively impact you, other drivers, pedestrians, and property. It’s not worth it given the possible consequences. And if your bad decision to drive while intoxicated results in someone’s death, you will have that on your conscience forever. You may also get jail time and suffer other legal consequences.
Speeding
According to one source, over 12,000 fatalities — or 29% of all crash deaths — happened in speed-related collisions in 2022. Let that sink in. Driving too fast makes it harder to control your vehicle, slow down in emergencies, or avoid obstructions on the road.
So, speeding is one of the main causes of car accidents on roads and highways. If you’re driving too fast, you will boost your odds of fender benders. You’ll also likely be at least partially at fault if the police determine that you were traveling at a high rate of speed before a collision. It’s best to slow down and respect the rules of the road.
Remember that the speed limit is posted for a reason. You should also consider that the posted speed limit is the top speed to drive in ideal conditions. If the roads are wet, snowy, or compromised in some way, you should drive at a safer speed.
Distracted Driving
A previous study shows that, at any given time, 7.6% of motorists on the road use their smartphones. Most people overestimate their ability to multitask. While they believe they can drive and talk on the phone simultaneously, the reality is that they increase their odds of accidents. When operating a car, you should focus on driving. Don’t fiddle with the radio, play with your pooch riding shotgun, eat your breakfast burrito, or do anything that distracts you. You must focus on operating your vehicle and being a safe driver for yourself and others.
These are three leading causes of accidents — and they’re accidents you can easily avoid. Unfortunately, being a safe driver won’t totally eliminate risks since you share the road with others. If you’re involved in an accident, contact a personal injury law firm like Stewart Law Offices. You should never try to negotiate with an insurance company independently. They’re not in the business of paying out any money willingly, but the right personal injury lawyer can help.
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