Every day, there are nearly 800carwreck in the United States. This unfortunate reality is due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: distracted driving, drunk driving, and inexperienced drivers. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons behind why car wrecks happen and how you can avoid being involved in one.
Distracted Driving
One of the leading causes of car wrecks is distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. This can include activities like talking on the phone, eating, drinking, smoking, changing the radio station, and more. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 3,500 people were killed in 2016 as a result of distracted driving.
If you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to always be focused on the task at hand: driving. If you need to do something that will take your attention away from the road (like check your phone), pull over to a safe location first.
Drunk Driving
Another leading cause of car accidents is drunk driving. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), every two minutes someone in the United States is injured as a result of drunk driving. That’s over 10,000 injuries per month!
If you’re going to drink alcohol, always designate a sober driver ahead of time who will be responsible for getting everyone home safely. If you find yourself without a designated driver, call a cab or Uber/Lyft. It’s not worth putting your life—or the lives of others—at risk by getting behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking alcohol.
Inexperienced Drivers
Lastly, inexperienced drivers are also frequently involved in car wrecks. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 16- and 17-year-olds have crash rates three times higher than drivers aged 18 and 19 years old. For 16-year-olds, that crash rate is nearly twice as high as it is for 20- and 21-year-olds.
If you’re a new driver—or if you know someone who is—be sure to practice extra caution when out on the roads. Obey posted speed limits and drive defensively (i.e., assume other drivers will make mistakes). And if possible, avoid driving during high-traffic times or in adverse weather conditions until you have more experience under your belt.
Conclusion:
Every day in America, there are 800 car wreck—the vast majority of which could have been avoided if only different decisions had been made by those behind the wheel. So please be careful out there! Don’t drive distracted, don’t drink and drive, and always use extra caution if you’re an inexperienced driver. We all want to make it home safely at the end of the day.