What are the Leading Causes of Roadway Auto Accidents?
There are roughly 6.4 million auto accidents in the United States each year. Most of these accidents are entirely preventable, with 98% of those accidents being caused by human error. Even still, car accidents are only increasing with each passing year, resulting in thousands of catastrophic injuries and deaths.
In this blog, our South Carolina auto accident attorney discusses the leading causes of roadway collisions and tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Distracted Driving
In 2022, distracted or inattentive driving took the lives of 3,308 people. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from your driving, including changing the radio station, applying make-up, eating/drinking, speaking with your passengers, or talking or texting on your cell phone.
Distractions can take any of the following forms:
- Cognitive: Any activity that takes your mind off your driving.
- Manual: Any activity that takes your hands off the wheel.
- Visual: Any activity that takes your eyes off the road.
Drunk Driving
In most states, a person is legally intoxicated if he or she has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%. At 0.08%, research shows that motorists experience reduced muscle coordination, impaired reasoning skills, and decreased visual acuity. Since driving requires precision, any level of impairment threatens the welfare of other motorists.
Drowsy Driving
It is estimated that 328,000 crashes are caused by drowsy driving, with some crashes caused by drivers falling asleep for short periods of time without even realizing it (known as “microsleep”). Research has shown that a driver who has been awake for 20 hours has a similar impairment to an individual with a BAC of 0.08%. When you are drowsy, you lack the necessary judgment, reflexes, and attention to detail necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Speeding
We have all been guilty of it. To make up for leaving late, we go heavy on the gas pedal to reach our destination in less time. Speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities, resulting in 12,151 deaths in 2022. When you speed, you decrease your time to react in an emergency. Those precious seconds often mean the difference between life and death.
Inclement Weather
If your car slides off the road due to icy conditions, you cannot simply blame Mother Nature for the crash. Even when inclement weather is the culprit behind a crash, you can still be held accountable.
Accidents in adverse weather can be avoided when proper precautions are taken. Furthermore, if the governor declares a State of Emergency, it is wise for you to stay off the road until conditions improve.
Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe
The following list can help keep you safe on the road:
- Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel.
- Take frequent breaks when taking a long trip.
- Avoid distractions (that includes looking at your phone!)
- Avoid taking long trips in the evening.
- In hot weather, be sure to keep the temperature cool in your car. Warm temperatures are known to make people drowsy.
Reach Out to Our South Carolina Auto Accident Attorney
In our fast-paced society, everybody has errands to run and appointments to attend. Many people who get behind the wheel do so without thinking about others’ well-being, resulting in thousands of accidents annually. If you have been the victim of a car accident, look no further than the Law Office of D. Craig Brown. To schedule your initial consultation with our South Carolina auto accident attorney, contact us online or by phone.