Over the past year, the rate of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities has increased dramatically. As more people return to the roads post-pandemic, they nevertheless carry bad driving habits that place themselves and the people around them in danger. Here are seven major ways reckless drivers contribute to motor vehicle accidents:
- Speeding
- There is no type of reckless driving more commonly cited as causes of motor vehicle accidents than speeding. Not only does speeding increase the likelihood of an accident, it also increases the potential for severe injury or death. The slower people drive, the safer it is on the road.
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Legally, everyone is supposed to stop at stop signs and red lights. Unfortunately, there are some people who treat stop signs and traffic signals as suggestions rather than laws. As a result, they place themselves and every driver around them at an increased risk of injury.
- Failing to slow in inclement weather
- When the roads are slick with rain, snow, or ice, taking it slow is the best way to avoid an accident. Some people choose not to slow down when the weather is bad, however, increasing the risk they will skid and lose control of their vehicle. When that happens, they may not be able to regain control until it is too late to avoid an accident.
- Distracted driving
- Almost everyone always has a cell phone on them. It can be easy to get distracted by texts, social media, or other things that pop up on your phone. These distractions can take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel, making it more difficult to react to sudden stops or changes on the road, and increasing the risk of a motor vehicle accident.
- Driving while tired
- When people are tired, they are slower to react to just about everything, and are less likely to notice something important. This can be dangerous at any time, but it’s especially bad when it happens to someone who is driving a motor vehicle. In the worst-case scenario, a tired driver can even fall asleep at the wheel, completely losing control of their vehicle and making an accident almost inevitable.
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Every year, thousands of people drive under the influence of intoxicating substances. This most often means alcohol, but also includes other recreational substances, and even certain prescription medications. Driving under the influence substantially increases the risk of an accident, as intoxicated people tend to have slower reflexes and may have difficulty performing even basic aspects of driving.
- Aggressive driving
- Sometimes, it can be hard not to get angry while driving, and it can be tempting to drive aggressively when confronted with other reckless drivers on the road. This temptation is a danger, though, as people who drive aggressively are much more likely to get into an accident. Keeping a cool head while driving can, quite literally, save your life, and make it less likely you will be in a motor vehicle accident.
