What are the most common causes of traffic accidents?

The Most Common Causes of Traffic Accidents

It’s no secret that traffic accidents are among the most common causes of severe injuries, including loss of life, in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 2 million car wrecks occur each year, resulting in about 33,000 deaths and 2 million injuries. The following are the top three most common causes of these accidents.

Cell phone use

Driving while using a cell phone is the most common cause of traffic accidents. Texting and driving are especially hazardous as it can take up to 27 seconds for a driver's eyes to refocus on the road after looking at a text. 

Drivers who use their phones are four times more likely to get into an accident than those who don't, and they're less aware of what's happening around them.

Distracted driving

In the United States, a single car crash kills more than 110 people every day. A staggering number, but it becomes even more startling when you realize that this total is largely due to distracted driving. 

Whether talking on the phone or texting, drivers are not only endangering their lives but also those around them. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver distraction accounted for 3,450 fatalities in 2016 alone.

Speeding

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is by far the leading cause of traffic accidents in the United States. Speeding contributes to approximately 31% of all fatal car accidents and 18% of all injury car accidents each year. In addition, drivers who are excessively speeding are 3 times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal accident than those driving at a safe speed.

Drunk driving

Driving drunk is the number one cause of traffic accidents. In fact, in 2011 it accounted for 31% of all fatal crashes. If you suspect a driver has been drinking and driving, call 911. A lot of drivers may drink too much at parties or other events without realizing the potential consequences. 

If they’re not impaired by alcohol yet, they can still be arrested if they are found to have an illegal level of drugs in their system or refuse to take a sobriety test. Make sure that your children know that you expect them to never drink and drive.

Reckless driving

A major cause of traffic accidents is reckless driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,  reckless or inattentive drivers were found to be responsible for almost 40% of all fatal crashes that year. Distracted drivers are another major cause. 

Cell phone use while driving has been reported as a factor in crashes and deaths at a rate three times higher than 10 years ago. The same study found that nearly 300,000 drivers were using cell phones at any given moment during daylight hours.

Drowsy driving

A recent study from the AAA Foundation found that drowsy driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. The Foundation concluded that drivers who had slept less than four hours per night were twice as likely to be involved in an accident. In fact, the most common causes of fatal car accidents are related to sleep deprivation and not alcohol or drugs.

Bad weather

Driving in bad weather conditions is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents. With snow, sleet, and rain all posing a risk to drivers, it's important to take extra care when you're on the road. 

Make sure you have a full tank before heading out so that you don't run out in the middle of anywhere. Stay alert for sudden changes in weather and be sure to put on your seatbelt and make sure your passengers are buckled up too.