Accidents Caused by Driver Errors

Motor vehicle accidents can be caused by different events, one of them, and the most common one is a driver’s error. A distraction while driving, not following traffic signals, or driving drowsy could all cause a car crash. We have collected the top four most common driver mistakes that could result in an accident. Avoiding these errors could prevent a serious accident resulting in injuries, property damage and other damages resulting from the crash.

Speeding

Speeding is a common mistake many drivers make. According to statistics speeding caused about 26 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in 2018, this is an average of 25 people involved in a fatal accident per day. Not following the posted speed limit increases the risk of causing a car accident. An accident in a car traveling at high speed could also increase the likelihood of suffering severe or even fatal injuries from the impact. Driving above the speed limit gives the driver less time to react in case there’s a road hazard, a sudden stop in traffic, or other unexpected threats on the road.

Texting and Driving

As people become more dependent on cellphones, the accidents related to texting and driving have increased. According to the NHTSA, 2,841 people lost their lives in a distracted driving accident and over half of car accidents in the United States have a cellphone involved. A distraction on the road, even for a few seconds could result in a devastating accident. Many states have banned texting and driving by enacting laws that penalize the action with fines or points on your driver’s license, but this hasn’t stopped some people of using their phones while behind the wheel.

Failure to Follow Traffic Signals

Studies by the NHTSA show that about 1,578 fatal car accidents are caused by two vehicles at an intersection who didn’t follow traffic signals, about 51% of these accidents were caused by drivers who ran a red light. Traffic signals are in place to direct traffic and keep drivers safe, a single driver not following a traffic sign could result in a multiple vehicle collision causing severe injuries and property damage. It’s important to stay alert on the road and follow all posted traffic signs and traffic lights. Not only do you risk suffering a car accident, but a police officer could stop you and issue a citation for not following traffic signals.

Drowsy Driving

Driving drowsy is almost as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The NHTSA states that every year about 100,000 police-reported car accidents involve a drowsy driver. Some of the signs of sleepiness that you should watch out for when driving include trouble focusing on the road, daydreaming or wandering thoughts, trouble keeping your eyes open or your head up, slower reaction time, feeling restless or irritable, missing signs or exits. Some drivers have a higher risk of falling asleep on the wheel such as commercial drivers with long shifts, people working double or night shifts, people with untreated sleep disorders. Avoid driving if you feel tired or drowsy or pull to the side of the road if you notice you are feeling fatigued.

Motor vehicle accidents aren’t the only type of crashes that can be caused by a driver’s error. Airplane accidents could also be caused by a pilot’s mistakes. Although plane crashes are uncommon, one of the most common causes of these accidents involves pilot error. Such was the case for a private plane crash in Colorado in 2015 where the pilot was taking pictures in the cockpit. No matter what type of vehicle you are driving, make sure that you focus all your attention to driving to avoid an accident from severely impacting your life.