Causes of auto accidents
Experts state that the major causes of car accidents are driver distractions.
Dangerous distractions that can lead to an accident include cell phones and other
gadgets that drivers use as they drive. Cell phones, laptops, electric razors, etc.
causes drivers to take their eyes off the road for seconds at a time with the potential
to cause a serious, if not deadly, accident. In response to this, some states in the US
have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while people are driving. The
alternative is to use a hands free ear bud that is lightweight and comfortable, and
allows a driver to carry on a conversation without diversions.
Another dangerous distraction is when a driver who has been drinking and then
attempts to drive. The effects of alcohol can and does raise havoc behind the while.
Anyone with a blood alcohol level of .01 is considered unfit to drive. The effects of
driving while intoxicated include drowsiness, loss of focus and the inability to judge
distances and reaction times.
Rubbernecking（注视 张望） and tailgating（尾随，紧随） are other potentially
dangerous habits that many practice while driving. Rubbernecking occurs when
drivers slow down to look at another accident on the road or anything that looks
unusual on the highway. When a driver slows a car down too quickly, the driver in
the car behind often times doesn't have enough time to slow down or stop and runs
into the back of the vehicle in the lead. Rear end collisions can lead to serious
injuries. The same applies for tailgating in that a driver who is following a car too
closely may not have enough distance to stop suddenly, and the potential for a
serious accident is eminent.
A driver's behavior causes many accidents; still others are caused by mechanical
failure or road conditions. There are technical solutions that are available to help
with these problems and have contributed to a decline in the death rates caused by
automobile accidents. They include proximity monitors that let a driver know how
close they are to the vehicle ahead; sobriety detectors, that measure the amount of
alcohol that a driver has consumed and drifting monitors that alert a driver when his
or her car drifts too far to one side of the road or the other.
The 6 Most Common Causes of Automobile Crashes
by www.SixWise.com
After the world's first automobile-related fatality, which occurred in
London in 1896, the coroner said: "This must never happen again."
Little did he know that from then on, some 25 million people would
Distracted drivers cause
between 25-50 percent of all
U.S. motor vehicle accidents.
have died in vehicle-related accidents, according to the World Health
Organization (WHO).
And even with all the advancements in vehicle safety technology, the
number of people killed in auto accidents continues to rise. Close to
1.2 million people die each year on the world's roads, and that
number is expected to rise by 65 percent by the year 2020, says a
report by WHO and the World Bank.
What's causing all of these accidents, which are, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading
cause of death among people aged 3 to 33, should then be of great
interest to all of us drivers out there. Ironically, when you take a look
through the top six causes you'll see that the greatest threat to
drivers is the drivers themselves.
1. Distracted Drivers
Mark Edwards, Director of Traffic Safety at the American Automobile Association
stated, "The research tells us that somewhere between 25-50 percent of all motor
vehicle crashes in this country really have driver distraction as their root cause."
The distractions are many, but according to a study conducted by the Virginia
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU),
rubbernecking -- or slowing down to gawk at another accident -- caused the most
accidents, accounting for 16 percent of all distraction-related crashes.
"I've had as many as three accidents at one scene, at one intersection," says Officer
John Carney of the Fairfax County Police. "Rubbernecking is the most dangerous
distraction, in my experience."
After rubbernecking, other common driver distractions included:
Driver fatigue (12 percent, see below)
Looking at scenery (10 percent)
Other passengers or children (9 percent)
Adjusting the radio, cassette or CD player (7 percent)
Reading the newspaper, books, maps or other documents (less than 2
percent)
Another increasingly serious cause of driver distraction is cell phone use, as more
than 85 percent of the estimated 100 million cell-phone users talk on their phone
regularly while driving, according to a Prevention magazine survey. At least one
study has found that driving and talking on a cell phone at the same time quadruples
the risk of crashing, which is why many cities have recently begun banning their use
while driving unless a hands-free device is used.
2. Driver Fatigue
Drowsy drivers account for about 100,000 accidents every year in the United States,
according to the U.S. National Traffic Safety Administration. The risk is greatest
from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., the time when most people are used to sleeping, however
some people also become drowsy from noon to 2 p.m.
Symptoms of driver fatigue include heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, a drifting
vehicle that wanders over road lines, varying vehicle speed for no reason,
misjudging traffic situations, seeing things "jump out" in the road, feeling fidgety or
irritable and daydreaming.
Other than making sure you are well-rested before getting behind the wheel, the
Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) offers these tips to help avoid fatigue-related auto
accidents:
Take a break from driving at least every two hours.
Get a good night's sleep before a long trip.
Share the driving whenever possible.
Avoid long drives after work.
Avoid drinking before driving.
Pull over and stop when drowsiness, discomfort or loss of concentration
occurs.
Find out whether any medicine you are taking may affect your driving.
3. Drunk Driving
In 2004, an estimated 16,654 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes,
according to NHTSA. This is an average of one death almost every half-hour. Drunk
drivers were responsible for 30 percent of all fatal crashes during the week in 2003,
but this percentage rose significantly over the weekends, during which 53 percent of
fatal crashes were alcohol-related.
The only way to prevent this type of accident is to not drink and drive. Whenever
alcohol is involved, choose a designated driver in advance. This person should not
drink at all before driving.
4. Speeding
Speeding is a multi-tiered threat because not only does it reduce the amount of time
necessary to avoid a crash, it also increases the risk of crashing and makes the
crash more severe if it does occur. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS), when speed increases from 40 mph to 60 mph, the energy
released in a crash more than doubles. Simply slowing down and obeying posted
speed limits can go a long way toward
making the roads safer.
5. Aggressive Driving
When traffic gets heavy, resist the
Exactly what is an aggressive driver? urge to succumb to aggressive
According to the New York State Police, it's driving.
anyone who:
"Operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the
rights or safety of the other users of the streets and highways." This includes
behaviors such as:
Aggressive tailgating
Flashing lights at other drivers because you're irritated at them
Aggressive or rude gestures
Deliberately preventing another driver from moving their vehicle
Verbal abuse
Physical assaults
Disregarding traffic signals
Changing lanes frequently or in an unsafe manner
Failure to yield the right of way
If you come across an aggressive driver, the New York State Police gives these tips
to protect yourself:
Remain calm
Keep your distance
Do not pass unless you have to
Change lanes once it is safe
If you cannot change lanes and an aggressive driver is behind you, stay
where you are, maintain the proper speed and do not respond with hostile
gestures
If the situation is serious, you may call 911 to report an aggressive driver
6. Weather.
Inclement weather, including heavy rain, hail, snowstorms, ice, high winds and fog
can make driving more difficult. You'll need more time to stop and may have trouble
seeing the road clearly, so when the weather gets bad be sure to leave extra room
between the car in front of you and slow down. If necessary, pull off the road to a
rest stop (or to the side of the road, well out of the traffic lanes) until conditions
improve.
Car Accident Causes
Car accidents happen very quickly but usually leave a lasting and devastating effect. Due to these accidents,
countless of individuals and families were left changing the direction that their lives are taking.
Personal injury sustained from a car accident is becoming a major tort case in the country. It is particularly dealt
with by law to compensate the rising number of helpless victims who suffer injuries, disability and even death.
Those who are involved may found themselves facing or pursuing civil or criminal suits.
Our Professional Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles specialize in car accidents actions and has proved
itself exceptional in the long line of successful cases over the years. It is composed of competent and dedicated
lawyers with nothing in mind but to battle for your right – and win it.
Statistical Data
In the United States alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that nearly 43,000
people are killed each year due to car accidents. The figure would translate to about 115 deaths every day – or
1 senseless death every 13 minutes.
A motorist advocacy group AAA said that automobile accidents:
cost each American $1,051 a year
cost $164.2 billion each year in total
Causes of Car Accidents
Despite what were told about drinking and driving, still 40% percent of the fatalities were caused by drunken
driving. Other factors of car accidents may include:
mobile phone use while driving
mechanical failure
road failure
aggressive driving
driving while under the influence of liquor or drugs
old age and fatigue
poor eyesight and/or physical impairment
In sum, car accidents are a combination of driver error, road condition and other human factors. If you or your
loved one inevitably figured in a car accident, it is strongly recommended that you contact a car accident lawyer
immediately to insure that your rights are protected.
Thousands of car accidents occur annually in Canada. In fact, someone is killed in a
car accident every ten seconds in the United States. Most of these accidents could
be easily avoided however, which greatly underlines the tragedy of these collisions.
Below is a top ten list of the common causes of automobile accidents and what we
can potentially learn from them.
1. Cell phone use – even a hands free cell phone or the use of blue tooth
technology does not guarantee that an accident won’t occur when chatting on a cell
phone and driving. Harvard University conducted a study that indicated that
individuals using cell phones caused 200 deaths and millions of accident related
injures. These drivers are four times more likely to cause an accident. The
solution of course is to not use cell phones while driving. Easier said then done, but
if you must have a phone in your car, pull into a parking lot to answer any important
calls if necessary. The truth is in the math!
2. Changing CD/Radio – we may take changing the radio or inserting a CD for
granted, but these activities have shown to contribute to higher incidences of car
accidents. If you have a short distance to travel, it may be a good idea to insert in
your favorite CD before beginning the trip. For a longer trip, a mixed CD is a good
option. Bringing several of these mixed CDs will provide hours of enjoyment and can
be changed during pit stops. Alternatively, passengers could be given
responsibility for changing CDs while in route.
3. Eating in the car – applying make-up, reading and eating often lead to disaster
when driving. If you must eat, do so while stopped to fill with gas, or for a rest stop
break. Far too many accidents have been caused by people trying to avoid getting
crumbs or mustard on their pants. Another great piece of advice is to make sure you
have adequately sized drink holders, so you won’t have to place your drink between
your legs. Many more accidents yet have been caused because a lid popped off or
a drink was spilled on a driver’s lap.
4. Rubbernecking – despite what most people might think, rubbernecking is the
foremost cause of traffic accidents and related injuries. People who live in urban
areas are more prone of course. In fact, many accidents can occur near or around
accident scenes. To reduce the risk of such a collision, move with the flow of traffic
and do not stop or slow down unless instructed to do so by officers on the scene. Pay
attention to the road, and not the accident.
5. Drinking and driving – In 2006, nearly 14,000 alcohol related traffic fatalities
marred the landscape in the United States. In fact, traffic accidents involving
inebriated drivers had a higher risk of death or debilitating injury. While education
is key, it is not enough to tell people not to drink and drive. There will always be
those who ignore conventional wisdom and get behind the wheel drunk. Perhaps
the best technique to aid with preventing drunk driving is to make it a policy to take
keys from friends, when you know they’ve been drinking. You may also wish to drive
them home, or hire any one of a number of services designed to get the driver and
his car home safely.
6. Drug use – driving under the influence also includes the influence of
drugs. Perception influencers are obviously bad, but so too are supposed soft core
drugs like marijuana, which can greatly reduce a person’s ability to drive. Illegal
drugs are not the only kinds of drugs that create problems; cold medications and
those used to alleviate headache pain can also impair driving ability. No matter what
the reason for the impairment, you have enough information at your disposal to
make such decisions, so when in doubt—stay home!
7. Driver Distraction – kids, animals and construction sites often distract
individuals as much as any cell phone or car accidents we see. We are all human
and know that it can be near impossible to keep our attention on the road when little
Timmy is pulling on his sister’s hair. However, it is best if you resist the urge to look
away, even momentarily. If it appears to be an issue requiring discipline, pull onto
the road’s shoulder or into the nearest rest stop first.
8. Speeding – The faster a car speeds along a highway, the higher the probability
of a fatal accident. Even so, people tend to speed with alarming frequency. More
concerning is the increasing tendency of drivers to speed through residential areas.
What many people fail to consider is that the faster you travel, the harder it
becomes to stop. This makes the potential for disaster immense when speeding in
residential neighbourhoods. The remedy of course is to drive the posted speed
limit, especially in suburban areas, school zones and urban side streets.
9. Recklessness – some people adopt a willful disregard for the traffic regulations
that make our roads safer. Feeling above the law, they sneer at the rules of the
road and exhibit a sense of entitlement when driving. Many of these individuals
also exhibit aggressive driving tactics such as changing lanes without
signaling. Aside from advising you not to exhibit these driving behaviors yourself,
you should be on the look out for these dangerous motorists, and report them to
authorities as you see them (pulling over first to make the call of course).
10. Shoddy road maintenance — Highway maintenance is very important.
However, many roads exhibit unsafe conditions like pot holes, uneven pavement
and various other types of defects. These conditions can and do lead to serious car
accidents. The best defense against accidents caused by such road defects, is to
keep your eyes open and never take it for granted that every roadway is well kept.
When you find a highway too rough, try to avoid it altogether if possible.
In the end, knowledge is power, so if you wish to stay safe and maintain the safety
of those you love, keep the above information in mind and don’t become one of
these unfortunate statistics. Safe driving