Cars are an integral part of most families. They are a convenient way to get around from getting yourself to work to transporting the kids from activities to school. Unfortunately, as convenient as they can be, they are also linked to thousands of injuries and deaths a year.
Getting into a car accident is bad enough as it is, however, getting into a car accident with your family can be even more terrifying. One of the best ways to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road is to know the most frequent causes of automobile accidents so you can avoid them. Here are some of the most common to look out for.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving means more than just texting or making a call. Driving while doing anything else other than keeping your eyes on the road is an example of distracted driving.
That means you shouldn’t be eating a hamburger, doing your makeup, or searching through your purse for a receipt. The only thing you should be doing when you’re driving is driving.
Drinking and Driving
Most people who have been drinking before getting behind the wheel believe that they are the exception to the rule. No one wants to believe that “just a few innocent drinks” could be the result of a fatal car crash.
Unfortunately, sometimes it only takes one or two drinks to cause the most damage. The less someone drinks, the more they assume that they’re in control, therefore lowering their defenses without realizing they’re less cognitively aware than they thought. The best plan is not drinking at all!
Weather
As much as humans might like to believe that they can outsmart mother nature, the Earth wins every time. Driving under conditions like rain or fog can be incredibly dangerous. Between reduced visibility and slippery roads, weather causes over one-third of traffic accidents a year.
If the weather is looking particularly risky, do yourself a favor and wait until conditions improve! No appointment is worth risking your life for!
Speeding
Speeding is something that most people are more guilty of than they realize. All it takes is a slightly heavy foot on the gas to result in a car accident. A lot of people are in such a hurry that they don’t even realize how dangerous their speed is.
The result can often be serious whiplash, or worse, even death. It’s much better to leave your house at an earlier time so you can drive at the recommended speed limit!
These are just a few of the common causes of car accidents. However, there are plenty of exceptional risks that could present themselves at any moment. By being careful and staying aware of your surroundings, you can avoid most car crashes and keep your family out of harm’s way!
