When car accidents happen, it never really matters if you're a new or professional driver. Even the slightest mistake or miscalculation can lead to a crash that could severely harm you or others on the road.

Car accidents are something nobody wants to go through. But it's not just about hoping it won't happen; you should also take steps to reduce the chances of it occurring.

To do so, you must first understand the factors that could cause a car accident. Understanding these factors (some of which we're about to discuss) can help you take proactive measures to reduce the probability of an accident occurring and stay safe while driving.

But before we discuss these factors, let's clearly understand why road safety awareness is essential and why you must take it seriously.

As a driver, you are responsible for ensuring that each trip you make is safe for you and other road users. Now, this responsibility doesn’t end when you obey traffic laws. No! It extends further to how you operate your vehicle and the little factors you never ignore that could cause all the damage.

It's one thing to hop in your car and drive to your desired destination, and it's another to get there safely without any issues. Most times, we find ourselves exhibiting some very dangerous habits while driving and tend to ignore them.

These habits, or, in other words, "factors," that we tend to ignore are some of the significant reasons for car accidents globally, and without a deliberate attempt from you to know these factors and work on mitigating them, you may be a victim yourself.

You don't want that; no one does. That's why you should be aware of the following three factors that cause road accidents:

These days, with streaming services and various forms of digital entertainment at our disposal, the rate of accidents caused by distracted driving is rising. In 2022 alone, over 3,142 fatal accidents due to distracted driving were recorded in the US by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

These statistics are just a few figures less than what was recorded in 2021, with 3,346 of the 60,904 fatal accidents resulting from distracted driving. In these staggering figures, some lives have been lost and can never be recovered, which is another reason you should consider distracted driving a severe issue.

According to Dolinsky Law Group, a renowned personal injury law firm, texting, making calls, or even changing music while driving can lead to catastrophic consequences for you and other road users who may be affected by these reckless actions.

This is why you should set up the proper discipline to prevent getting distracted while driving. Shun activities that will take your eyes off the windscreen or affect your focus.

When in an urge to give or receive a call, find a safe parking spot before doing so. It only takes a split second of distraction to cause a collision that may change lives forever.

Excessive speeding is another factor that causes car accidents. With movies like "Fast and Furious, Transporter, and Drive" encouraging fast driving, it has become exceedingly common among millennials to exceed speed limits while driving.

In fact, statistics provided by the National Safety Council show that the age demographics of people involved in fatal accidents related to excessive speeding fall within the range of 15-20 and 21–24 years, comprising primarily males.

If you're among this demographic or know you exceed speed limits, then you must change this habit. You may be able to escape the cops every now and then, but you're putting yourself in grave danger of a fatal accident.

While you may feel the need to reach your destination quickly, exceeding speed limits reduces your reaction time, makes it harder for you to respond to unexpected situations on the road, such as sudden stops or obstacles, and increases your chances of suffering a fatal accident.

Speeding will not only increase the severity of any accident you encounter but will also reduce the effectiveness of your car's safety features like airbags and seatbelts.

Worse still, it could leave you in a hit-and-run situation where you'll be in severe trouble and risk many years in jail. So, take your time, maintain a steady pace, and ensure you're in control while driving.

The last thing you want to do when under the influence of anything that can intoxicate you or affect your focus, be it alcohol, illegal drugs, or even over-the-counter drugs, is drive.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a choice that will significantly increase your probability of a fatal accident. And one you shouldn't make on no account.

These substances will impair your judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making it difficult for you to operate a vehicle safely.

Hence, when left in a situation where you're under medication, and your prescribed drugs are the kind that can intoxicate you or affect your focus, opt for a ride-hailing service or have a friend or family member drive you to your desired location.

This is a safer alternative for you and other road users who won't be affected by the errors you'd have made if you drove yourself.

There's really no "best advice" for driving safely, as road safety is not solely dependent on a single driver; it takes the consideration of every road user, including you, to make the best choices that will influence and protect everyone.

However, knowing what could increase your probability of having a car accident so you can prevent it is the right way to protect yourself and others, and this blog should help you with that.