Being involved in an auto accident can lead to severe bodily damage, an increase in insurance payments, doctor bills, chronic pain, loss of wages, and even loss of life. It is for these reasons, that every driver should do everything possible, to avoid an automobile accident.
Auto accidents are an epidemic, especially in the United States, where more than ten (10) million individuals are involved in a collision on an annual basis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, auto accidents are the leading cause of fatalities among teenagers living in America.
It does not matter if you are a new or seasoned driver; the top causes of auto accidents listed below are for everyone who gets behind the wheel of an automobile.
Intoxicated Drivers
More than 1.5 million drivers are arrested due to drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) estimated that there are more than 300,000 daily incidents of drunk driving. Drinking and driving is irresponsible and dangerous. If you have not noticed, these types of accident can be prevented 100% of the time.
The legal limit for driving under the influence in Tennessee ( and in all 50 states in America) is a blood alcohol level (the amount of alcohol that is present in your bloodstream) of 0.8 and higher. Even a slight amount of alcohol in the bloodstream (.01 to .03) can affect visual and multitasking abilities (which are both necessary for driving effectively), even though a person may not appear intoxicated.
Speeding
Our society loves things to be quick and easy. Drive-thru fast food restaurants are a perfect example of the “need for speed”. These types of conveniences make our lives easier, but when it comes to the roadways, speed is deadly. Speeding on the road accounts for one-third of all auto accidents in the United States.
To avoid these types of auto accidents, simply slow down. Give yourself enough time to get to your destination. Speeding may save you 5 minutes of time, but the risk of losing your life or putting others in immediate danger, is simply too high for anyone to take.
All drivers should implement the “three second rule”, to keep speeding to a minimum. For instance, while on the road, when the driver in front of you passes a pole or sign, slowly count to three. If you pass this selected marker before you have reached “three”, then slow down. The caveat to this rule is the make sure you do not take your eyes off the road (as this may lead to another type of automobile accident).
Distracted Drivers
Being distracted behind the wheel of an automobile is the number one cause of auto accidents in the United States. Some common distractions include, but are not limited to, talking on a cell phone, eating, smoking, texting, grooming (apply makeup, for instance), and reading.
Individuals, who text while driving, have automatically increased their risk of being involved in an auto accident by 25 times. If a driver attempts to dial a cell phone, the risk of causing an auto accident has doubled. It has been studied and documented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that 80% of auto collisions and more than 65% of near misses, are due to at least one of the drivers being distracted on the road.
While behind the wheel of an automobile, make this task (of driving) your number one priority and give this very important task your full attention, at all times. By doing this, you have easily reduced the risk of being involved in an automobile accident.
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