There are lots of causes for common road accidents that you’ll want to avoid every time you get behind a wheel. We wanted to highlight some of the biggest reasons for driving accidents to help you be on your guard as you drive.
Causes of common road accidents
Check out the top 10 causes of driving accidents and see what you can do to help prevent them.
1. Distracted driving
Getting distracted behind the wheel can be disastrous. A situation can change in a heartbeat, and you need to make sure all your concentration is on the road. When you’re driving, don’t use your phone, reprogram your satnav, or eat or drink. Keep your full attention on the road ahead.
Check out our tips for preventing distractions behind the wheel.
2. Rain
Not making allowances for a wet or slippery road can be deadly. Make sure if the road is wet or icy, you double your stopping distances, avoid sharp breaking and tight turns, and use your lights to make sure you can see and be seen.
Check out our tips for driving in the rain and for how to alter your driving style in the winter.
Are you clued up about the new for 2022 mobile phone and car law? Learn more about it.
3. Road rage
Getting angry at someone else’s driving is only going to make yours worse. If you get cross behind the wheel, pull over somewhere safe until you’ve calmed down again. Driving when you’re angry makes you distracted and prone to poor judgement.
4. Pot holes
Bad road surfaces are a nightmare. They can damage your car or cause drivers to undertake alarming manoeuvres to avoid them. If you spot a pot hole in your path, react to the hazard safely. So, drive around it wherever possible. Or make sure your car does not hit it at speed if you’re forced to drive through.
5. Driver fatigue
If you find yourself getting sleepy behind the wheel, you need to stop and take a break. Falling asleep while you’re driving can have disastrous consequences.
Find out more about driver fatigue and how to overcome it.
6. Animals in the road
Animals don’t obey human road laws. They might pop out in front of your vehicle at any moment. Animal crossing signs are in place in spots where you’re likely to see wildlife, so make sure you take note of these as you drive in case you need to suddenly take evasive action.
View our advice to avoid animal collisions.
7. Speeding
The speed limit is there for a reason. It’s to keep you, other road users and passers-by safe. As your speed increases, you reaction time decreases, so you have less time available to react to a hazard as it appears.
What happens when you get caught speeding in the UK? Find out here.
Check out these weird driving laws you might break every day.
8. Recklessness on the road
You need to be considerate of other road users at all times when you’re driving. Being reckless and speeding, changing lanes quickly and without warning, and not leaving enough space between you and the vehicle in front are all causes of common road accidents.
9. Look out for all other road users
Use your mirrors and check your blind spots before making any movement on the road. Look out for cyclists, pedestrians and motorbikes and clearly signal your intent to others. You should even check everything is clear before opening your door to exit the vehicle.
10. Driving under the influence
It should go without saying, but never get behind the wheel if you’re intoxicated. It reduces your ability to think and react and puts you and all other road users at risk.
Don’t risk it!
Common driving accidents happen all the time, despite our best efforts to avoid them. So, help to keep yourself, you passengers and other road users safe by making yourself aware of these common issues.
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