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The 4 Most Common Accidents on the Road

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When it comes to motor vehicle accidents the focus is often on serious incidents caused by speeding, alcohol, fatigue and failing to wear a seatbelt. But there are far more common occurrences of minor accidents caused by driver inattention that you also need to watch out for.

Inattention and simple driver errors are responsible for countless accidents, resulting in costly insurance claims and injuries. Here are some of the most common accidents on the road and how to avoid them.

Rear-ending

It can take just a fraction of a second to collide with a slowing or stationery vehicle in front when you’re not paying full attention. Taking your eyes off the road to change radio stations, check a text message or even tend to the children in the back of the car may only distract you for a few seconds, but the effect can be financially and physically devastating.

Ensure you leave a safe driving distance between you and the car in front, and don’t take your eyes off the road. In most instances the rear vehicle takes the blame for an accident.

Intersection Collisions

Checking and double checking is the golden rule at intersections, even if you have a green light or right of way. Failure to properly observe intersection rules through distraction or lack of indication are the usual causes for intersection incidents so it’s important to ensure the coast is clear before manoeuvring. While you may be paying attention, other drivers may not be, so drive defensively. It’s also worth brushing up on your road rules to understand who gets right of way at intersections and roundabouts.

Merging

It’s a simple task, undertaken numerous times a day, but merging and lane changing provides endless potential for an accident. In this case the best defence is to check and double check your blind spots before merging or changing lanes, and ensure you clearly indicate. Watch also for other drivers who may be about to merge, and be patient and courteous when merging into traffic.

Car Parks

Car parks are notorious for traffic accidents with vehicles travelling in a host of different directions, reversing and quickly pulling into and out of spaces. Even if you’re in a hurry, slow down in car parks and be extra alert. Make sure you also watch out for pedestrians heading to and from their cars.

Common causes of car crashes

Vehicular accidents are a leading cause of death around the world. Various reasons are responsible for these car crashes. If these reasons can be minimised, the death rate can be reduced significantly.

“Get out, but don’t cause unneeded accidents.”

― Dejan Stojanovic

We got in touch with a driving instructor from Auspak Driving School. He tried to help us understand the common causes of the car crashes. He also told us that if we are more aware of the possible reasons, we can help create more safety on the roads both for the drivers and the pedestrians.

Here we will list the most common causes of car crashes:

Stress driving

When you are driving your car on the road, your mind should not keep wandering to a different place and time. When you are under the influence of your feelings and emotions and you are feeling stressed, it is best to avoid driving for your own safety and those of others as well.

Speeding

The major cause of bad accidents is speeding. When you are driving at a higher speed, it is difficult to stop the vehicle in less time in case of any obstructions. Follow the speed safety limits to stay in control of your vehicle. Never try to speed your car in congested areas since it can be very risky.

Breaking traffic rules

Each and every country in the world follows a standard set of traffic rules. For instance, you are not supposed to jump the red light because it poses a danger to incoming vehicles. Even if you feel tempted to break these rules thinking that there is not much traffic, you can end up paying heavy penalties or risking lives.

Texting while driving

This is a new trend that has spread its tentacles throughout the world. A lot of people text while driving which is a really dangerous thing to do. Whether you are stuck in traffic or there is no traffic at all, do not text and drive. It is equally dangerous as drunk driving.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is punishable by law for a very major reason. If you drink and drive, you are being irresponsible. When you are drunk, your reflexes do not work in the same manner as when you are sober. For this reason, your reaction time can be very long and it will only lead to an accident. Drunk driving carries economical cost but emotional cost as well.

Fatigued driving

Those who drive continuously for hours and hours at a stretch are prone to fatigued driving. It is important to give your body and mind the rest it deserves. If you are not doing that, you can be the cause of a car crash.

Aggressive Driving

Racing against cars or driving aggressively can cause harm to property and life. Never drive aggressively. It makes you lose touch with your thinking ability which may cause a lot of damage.

The Golden Rules

Safe driving comes down to following a few golden rules every time you hit the road – don’t drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol, don’t speed, don’t drive fatigued, do wear a seatbelt and don’t get distracted.

With a little extra care and attention, many accidents can be avoided. It’s simply about recognising that driving is a responsibility with each trip requiring your full awareness of the road rules, other road users and any potential hazards.



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