Common Causes of Road Accidents Every Drivers Should Be Aware Of

Car accidents happen every day all over the world. There are many different reasons why drivers get in accidents; some easily prevented while others are unpredictable. It is sad, however, that these accidents often claim a lot of damages regarding the monetary value of all vehicles involved. It also causes a lot of trouble, not just to the driver but his passengers and pedestrians as well. It does not only cause damage to properties, but it could also severely hurt and even claim the lives of people. If you find yourself in such a situation and wondering what to do after a car crash, it’s crucial to seek guidance from a dependable legal expert.

For those types of accidents that can be prevented, it is best to know about them so you can avoid them. No one wants to be in a car accident. And other things you need to consider are your passengers and other innocent bystanders who could get hurt because of a mistake you make. The following factors cause most accidents:

Inclement Weather

One reason for many accidents, especially in Australia is inclement weather. Drivers are advised to drive carefully at all times, especially if there is heavy snowfall or rain. Snow and rain have a tendency to make the road slippery, thus, making it highly accident-prone. When the weather is terrible, you should consider driving slower than usual and give extra attention to the road. Better yet, postpone your trip unless it’s very important.

Irresponsible Driving

Even if you are a careful driver, some people, on the other hand, are irresponsible when it comes to their driving. And this kind of driving can lead to road accidents. Reckless driving happens if a driver is too fast when changing lanes, or driving too close to other vehicles, or tailgating. These kinds of drivers are often impatient in traffic and will try to get ahead if he or she sees an opening, which often leads to accidents.

Beating Red Lights

Similar to reckless driving, beating the red light is a type of road violation where a driver doesn’t follow traffic signals, especially traffic lights. It’s easy to remember what the lights signify: green means go. Amber or yellow means slow down. And red means you have to do a full stop. However, some hard-headed drivers ignore both the yellow and red lights. Instead of slowing down or stopping, they drive faster instead. This recklessness can often lead to a car accident. Always look and strictly follow road signs and traffic lights to avoid road accidents.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is said to be the leading cause of car crashes in the Australia. When we say distracted driving, the reason is comprehensive. There are many possibilities for why a driver is distracted. Did you know that many terrible accidents were caused by just a split second of inattention? Simple things such as checking your phone, texting or calling, eating food, putting on makeup, checking on bags, and many more are common causes of distracted driving. If you are doing any of these, it is best to stop them before you regret the consequences. If you need to use your phone or if you want to eat some food, parking on the side for a few minutes will not kill you.

Driving While Intoxicated

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is another common reason for car crashes, especially in Australia. And the rate of such accidents often increases during the holidays as parties and drinking sessions are everywhere, and most of the time, it is irresistible to stop drinking. No one is preventing you from drinking to your heart’s content as long as you’re responsible enough to plan how you’ll get home. Most people who attend parties in groups assign a designated driver, someone who promises to remain sober and drive the rest of the group safely home. A first DWI offense may not be severe, but other consequences of drunk driving may be dire. It is best if you try to take a cab or sleepover if you are alone and severely intoxicated.

Over Speeding

Accidents due to over speeding are often the result of being in a hurry. Many of us lead a hectic lifestyle that we need to run from one place to another most of the time. However, you have to consider that exceeding the speed limit of the road you are traversing is dangerous, and you might get in an accident that will cause you a lot of trouble and pain. Whenever you travel, even when the roads are clear, do not exceed the speed limit. Those limits are there for a reason. They are dependent on the make and purpose of the drive, as well as its terrain.

Driving at Night

Driving during the day has its risks. These risks are doubled at night. At night, many drivers have trouble seeing what’s up ahead on the road, making it difficult to anticipate as they drive towards it. It is essential to slow down and switch to defensive driving during the night to lessen the risk of a road accident.

Counter Flowing

Similar to not following road signs, counterflowing is a traffic violation by going in the wrong direction. For example, entering a one-way street will cause distraction and confusion both to you and to the other drivers coming in the opposite direction. To avoid accidents and traffic violations, make sure to pay attention to road signs, and follow them to avoid traffic violations and accidents.

Not Using Winter Tires

Roads tend to become slippery during winter due to the snow. It is vital to change your regular tires into winter tires for added safety. After all, winter tires are designed to help the car have a smooth drive during winter. It makes your car easier to control on a slippery road.

Tire Blowouts

If your car tires are more than three years old or already worn out, then you might want to consider replacing them with new ones. Not changing your old tires will only increase your chances of getting into a road accident in the future since your car may experience a tire blowout.

Street Racing

Street racing may look cool, especially in movies. This is why a lot of people, often young ones, seek to try drifting and racing if they can. However, racing without proper knowledge and experience would only cause you to get into a road accident, especially if you are going to try this on public roads.

As a novice driver, you should focus on learning all the traffic rules and regulations first and follow all the road and traffic signs. Moreover, don’t forget those common road accidents mentioned above so you can avoid them at all costs. If you ever get into serious trouble like a car accident, you can ask for help from experienced car injury lawyers, such as Foyle Legal, for legal advice.