Common Causes for a Car Accident
Car crashes are one of the most common means of injuries and fatalities in the Canada, and thousands of preventable car accidents happen on the road every year. Most of them are considered preventable due to the fact that the cause for the crash or accident could have been fixed before the driver even got in the vehicle.
Familiarizing yourself with the most common causes of car crashes is key in making sure you play your part in not causing one. The following are the key causes of road accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has always been a leading cause of road accidents but it has only become worse thanks to the proliferation of new distraction triggers such as smartphones. It’s no longer uncommon to drive past someone on the highway who’s driving while scrolling down an app feed on their phone.
While the attention of the driver is shifted off the road and onto the digital device, the vehicle travels a great distance, and the potential for rear-ending another car, swerving out of lanes and into oncoming traffic and other dangers is very real.
Driving While Under the Influence
Drunk driving is one of the surest paths to a road crash. It’s the most common cause of DUI cases but many terrible accidents have also been caused by cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription pills and other drugs.
Never drive after taking any drug and that includes any prescribed medication that causes drowsiness. If you find yourself far from home while intoxicated, call a friend, take a taxi or look for someplace to stay, such as a motel, in order to regain your sobriety.
Speeding
Drivers who exceed the speed limit or operate their vehicles too fast for the conditions are responsible for a great number of injury accidents and deaths in Canada every year. Speeding drivers endanger all others sharing the street or highway, as well as putting their own passengers at risk. Many people speed as a habit; others may be late for work or school or have other problems that they are trying to solve. Unfortunately, the truth is that it is better to be late than to find yourself in the hospital or to cause the death of another person through your actions.
Driving While Tired
Driving when you need to sleep can be as dangerous as driving after you’ve been drinking. Your vision is just as impaired, so is your ability to react. These effects are compounded when you’re tired and driving at night. If you’re driving and you need to sleep, you’re only making things worse for yourself by trying to keep your eyes open and keep driving. Take a lesson from professional over the road drivers. When you feel sleepy, pull over and get a couple of hours rest. You won’t make it to your destination as planned, but you will increase the odds that you’ll make it there in one piece.