The 4 Main Causes of Collisions
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow causes the majority of car accidents.
Car crashes happen for a variety of reasons.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the most common cause of car collisions. Any number of factors may distract a driver, including:
- The song playing on the radio
- A passenger in the car
- A text coming in on the phone
Believe it or not, the worst distraction is actually other accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many times drivers will stop and gawk at accidents, which, in itself, may cause another accident.
Fortunately, this is easy to fix by simply paying attention to the task at hand and concentrating on driving. And never text while driving.
Sleepy Drivers
Sleepy drivers may also cause accidents. The NHTSA says, “Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths.”
The best defense is a good offense. In this case, that may mean napping before undertaking a long drive or drinking a couple of caffeinated beverages while on the road.
Drunk driving
Drunk driving is another big cause of car crashes. You should never drink and drive. “Every day in America, 27 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes,” according to the NHTSA.
If you know you will be drinking, it is best to choose a designated driver.
Speeding
Driving over the speed limit is another big issue that plays into accidents. The faster a car travels, the more time it will take to stop or slow down. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates collisions are also deadlier when high speeds are involved because the impact and severity of the crash increases with an increase in the rate of speed.
Slowing down and following the speed limits can go a long way toward avoiding an accident.
If you are involved in a collision and your vehicle is in need of repair, call us today to schedule your appointment at (402) 334-7100.
