Common causes of motor vehicle accidents

If you drive to work or run errands, you see car accidents every day. You may wonder how so many accidents occur.

Motor vehicle accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons for a car crash are drug or alcohol impairment, speeding, distracted driving and driver fatigue.

Drug and alcohol impairment

If you drive while intoxicated, your reaction time and judgment can be severely affected. Impaired driving accounts for one-fourth to one-third of accidents with fatalities nationwide. You can become impaired by using alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medications.

Speeding

Many people regularly exceed the speed limit while driving. Speeding is a factor in a large number of motor vehicle accidents. If you go at high speed, you have less time to adjust to changing road conditions or hazards. Speeding is particularly dangerous in inclement weather.

Distracted driving

You can experience many different distractions while driving, including those that interfere with your view of the road, operation of the vehicle and your ability to pay attention to the road. It will help if you avoid doing other tasks while driving, as this can be a primary cause of distraction.

Driver fatigue

If you drive while tired, you have an increased risk of a collision. Driving while drowsy is just as hazardous as impaired driving. Many drivers do not realize that operating a vehicle on a few hours of sleep is dangerous.

If you know the common causes of motor vehicle crashes, you can do your best to avoid driving under any of these circumstances.