Top 50 Causes Of Road/Driving Accidents You Should Know

Driving accidents occur when we do not expect. Most times, they are unplanned for, sudden and even jilting. Sometimes they take lives, causes injuries and even permanent disability.

However, some accidents occur as a result of man’s carelessness. They could have been avoided quite easily if man had been cautious to avoid certain things or to put certain measures in place.

On roads plied by various vehicles and by various people of different thoughts, knowledge and background, accidents happen for numerous reasons.

Causes Of Road Accidents

There so many causes of driving accidents on the roads which I have taken some time to write about. The good thing is to avoid them and also let your friends, family and loved ones know about the risks of not being careful.

Driving accidents are always kinda impromptu but we do have the chances to completely avoid them if we stick to traffic rules and safe driving.

Remember, driving accidents usually affects more than a single person. You or someone else’s misbehavior or carelessness can cause havoc to more than one person.

Let’s quickly find out some major causes of driving accidents.

• Recklessness

Recklessness on the on the part of the driver and even pedestrians may lead to accidents.

Some drivers drive roughly while some pedestrians also lose care to the wind without much ado mostly because they believe the drivers should be the one on the lookout.

• Distraction

Drivers ought to pay attention to the road and the surrounding areas of where they are. However, if this is not done, the car is at a higher risk of being in an accident.

• Drunk Driving

This is another common cause of driving accident. Some drivers do not take precaution of the fact that they are drunk before they start driving.

In the end, they are influenced by the alcohols which have been consumed and then their judgment becomes clouded.

• Night driving

At night, the major source of energy (sunlight) is not available; therefore, the atmosphere is darker.

This is another major cause of driving accident as even some drivers may suffer from night blindness.

• Ignoring road signs

Ignoring road signals, especially the stop sign opens drivers to a higher risk of accidents. As the road signals were designed to make movement on roads more easy and smooth, ignoring it opens one to a potential accident.

• Exceeding driving limit

For every standard road, there is a speed limit to be met for them. However, some drivers exceed this limit by over speeding and end up in accidents.

• Driving Teenagers

Teenagers are known to love fast exciting thing. Therefore most times, they exceed speed limits, ignore road signals, which makes them even more prone to driving accidents.

• Mechanical Faults

Driving a car which is not mechanically okay for plying the road causes accidents as it may develop sudden faults while on motion.

• Fog

Weather conditions such as fog cause accidents as they hinder visibility.

• Incompetent drivers

When drivers who are not competent enough to drive cars drive, accidents are bound to happen.

• Underage drivers

Kids and teens that are not licensed to drive cars driving one, opens the road to accidents.

• Bad /damaged roads increase the risk of accidents

• Intoxicated / under drug influence drivers

Their judgment are clouded same as the drivers under the influence of alcohol. They are at a higher risk of having road rage.

• Tailgating other cars by moving too close

Cars may be jolted suddenly as they stop, but the absence of a good measurable distance between cars may cause collision.

• Bad tyres which may become flat while driving

This is common for cars which are not mechanically okay.

• Taking turns where it’s not allowed (improper turns)

The regulation’ guiding the use of the road allocates movement in some areas and forbid movement in some others. Taking turns where they are not allowed may open other vehicles to risk.

• Road rage

When drivers are angry at each other, reckless driving occur.

• Racing on streets

This is common where teenagers are involved. They race the cars for a bet or some other things.

• Drowsy/ sleepy drivers

A sleepy driver pays little or no attention to the road. Such a driver’s consciousness is half absent.

• Heavy rain fall

A lot of accidents have been known to occur as a result of heavy rain fall because it hinders visibility and makes the road slick and slippery.

• Snows

Having snow could be said to also have the same effect as the heavy rainfall.

• Taking curves recklessly

A careful driver ought to slow down while taking curves, however if a driver speeds to a curve or did not watch out for other vehicles, accident may occur.

• Chase

Even police are not left out. Accidents may occur during chase.

• Ignoring the traffic light/ running red lights

The traffic light is meant to be obeyed for the safety of everyone who may be using the road (drivers, pedestrians or otherwise). But, if it is ignored, no real control is in place.

• Taking wrong ways

Taking wrong ways because they may lead to your destination not only opens you to accident but also makes other road users prone.

• Potholes on roads cause accidents as well

Apart from the fact that they make rides bumpy, they may cause accidents too.

• Text-driving

It’s a form of distraction.

• Taking driving lessons on major roads

When driving lessons are taken on major roads, it may cause accident as the student driver may not be able to maneuver the car properly when the need arises.

• Construction zones

The implements or instruments used for construction may cause accidents.

• Animal crossing

Animals do not have judgment like man; therefore, they ignore signals and only obey instincts to be across they road.

• Lack of vehicle maintenance
• Driving very fast on slick roads
• Aggressive drivers are more likely to be reckless

• Fatigue

A fatigue driver is also less likely to pay attention to the road.

• Changing lanes without signals
• Careless crossing of pedestrians
• Curvy Roads
• Careless drivers become reckless because they have no care for other inhabitants of the road.
• Glare also reduces visibility
• Getting engaged with other things besides driving can also cause accidents e.g. arguing, smoking or eating.
• Use of phone, either to make calls or receive it without the proper gadgets or smartphone apps for cars/driving may also cause driving accidents.

• Lack of road signals

Where there are no signals to show if there are bumps ahead or show any other sort of havoc which have occurred ahead, accidents may happen.

• Ignorance/ Illiteracy

Where there are no road signs and signals, accidents may occur. But, what of the times when there are signals but the driver is not able to understand them and decipher what they mean? Accidents occur too!

• Unlicensed drivers

Drivers who are officially not yet licensed to drive, driving open the road to accident.

• Overcrowded Roads

In major cities, it not unheard of that accidents occur when the road becomes too busy than it can carry, and when even the traffic signals is not being obeyed.

Stay safe, avoid breaking traffic rules and drive carefully to preserve your life and those of others.

Do you think I missed some important causes of road accidents? Please let me know in the comments box below.

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