It’s a sad fact that car accidents are very common all around the world, and one of the leading causes of death, even in developed nations. It’s also an unfortunate fact that the large majority of traffic collisions are caused by human error in some way. While most people will stick to road laws and drive carefully, there’s no such thing as a perfect driver. Here are some of the most common causes of car accidents, and how you can avoid them.



Image: Wikimedia

Distracted Driving

This has been a major cause of fatal road accidents for decades, and as technology marches on, it’s only going to become more and more of a hazard. The solution is simple: pay attention to the road! This means no texting, no answering calls, no eating and no arguing with your passengers.

Intoxicated Driving

Drunk, or otherwise intoxicated driving, is one of the most prominent causes of car accidents in the United States, and by far the most deadly. This error isn’t limited to civilian drivers, either. Professionals like VBAttorneys' truck accident lawyers often have to deal with drink-driving cases involving commercial drivers. If you’ve had a drink, even if you feel fine to drive, call a taxi or get a ride with someone who’s sober. Getting behind the wheel, even when you’re slightly inebriated, is never worth the risk.

Rain

Obviously, you can’t always avoid driving in the rain. However, slippery, treacherous road conditions caused by heavy rain should be avoided as much as possible. If your visibility is too limited to drive, or you go out to your car and the road seems particularly slippery, pull over and wait for things to lighten up a bit.

Running Red Lights

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Everyone knows to stop at red lights, supposedly. I figured this point bears repeating, as it’s still found to be a major cause of traffic collisions. Even if it seems like no other cars are coming for some time, running a red is a violation of the law, and always increases your risk of having an accident. You may be late for a big event, an important meeting, or even the birth of your child. Being punctual to any of these is never worth risking your life.

Tailgating

No matter how annoyingly slow the car in front of you is going, you always need to maintain a safe distance. Accidents from tailgating are rarely very serious, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be. Make sure you can always see both tires and road when you’re moving close behind a car. This will give you a better window of time to react to any sudden braking or turns.

Improper Turns and Driving the Wrong Way

Everyone makes mistakes, but a big enough lapse of judgement when you’re behind the wheel can have dire consequences. Always keep an eye on the signage around you, checking for warnings of one-way streets and other irregularities in traffic, particularly when you’re in unfamiliar areas. Failing to stick to the law, even if it seems safe, always puts you at risk.