Driving is hazardous to your health. It’s true; you have a 1 in 107 chance to be in a car accident in your lifetime. Would you bet against those odds? Yet, regardless of the dangers of operating a motor vehicle, it’s a major part of how we get around.
While a car accident can happen to anyone, having the foresight to appreciate the potential dangers of driving can help you a lot as a defensive driver. We thought we’d share the 4 most common causes of a car accident to help you on that journey.
Driving While Distracted
The number 1 cause of car accidents in the United States is distracted driving. The next time you’re at a stop light, look at your fellow drivers. We’ll bet, out of the 2-3 cars around you at the light, you’ll see at least one person with their eyes trained into their lap as they browse their phone in the 20 essential seconds between a red and green light.
Our cell phones aren’t the only thing distracting us behind the wheel. Some people apply makeup, get deeply involved in a juicy true crime podcast, or even read on their commute. Your ability to spy a distracted driver can help you avoid a pointless collision on the road.
Driving While Under the Influence
Drugs, alcohol, and driving simply do not mix. You might think weed is okay (after all, you can smoke and drive, right?) however we’ll be the first to tell you that it’s illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis, just as it is with alcohol.
The problem with these substances is that it impacts your ability to reason as well as your coordination, many times without you knowing it. Yet, it’s pretty easy to smoke a joint or hop behind the wheel while intoxicated without anyone knowing it. As a defensive driver, we recommend you keep a lookout for drivers that are swerving or acting erratically. Most of all, avoid driving late at night or early in the morning when many patrons are leaving their favorite watering hole and swerving their way home.
Reckless Driving/Speeding
As careful as you might be, all it takes is another reckless driver to get you into an accident. Reckless driving and speeding are illegal for a reason. Taking an extra second at a new greenlight to ensure no one is running the red light in the opposite direction is a great way to escape the clutches of a reckless driver. Beyond that, don’t speed, and let a speeder pass you if you find yourself being tailgated.
Weather Hazards
New England has its fair share of weather hazards when on the road. In warmer months, rain can cause slippery conditions, especially if hasn’t rained in a while. If a downpour occurs after a long period of dry weather, the oil and dirt that has accrued on highways will become extremely slick when mixed with rain, making you slide far easier than you might think.
Driving in the snow is a necessary evil in our state. Except for a major blizzard, many of us have to get to work no matter how many inches have fallen. Our advice is to be slow and cautious.
Have You Been in an Accident?
Sometimes an accident can’t be avoided, whether you’re the cause or the victim. Whatever the case, we’re here to help get your car back on the road as soon as possible. Our collision and autobody repair services are bar none, and we’ll do our part in putting that accident behind you.
Have you been in an accident and need autobody repair? Reach out to us today.
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