Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Florida is known for its great weather and beautiful beaches. However, it also has one of the highest rates of car accidents in the United States. These accidents result from various causes, ranging from human error to environmental factors. Here’s a look at the ten most common causes of car accidents in the Sunshine State, including a more in-depth look at the age groups most susceptible to each cause and the factors at play.
1. Distracted Driving
- Texting while driving is SIX times more likely to result in an accident than drunk driving.
- Using a phone, even hands-free, increases the chance of an accident by FOUR times.
- Younger drivers, particularly those in the 16-24 age bracket, are more prone to using their phones while driving.
2. Speeding
- For every 10 mph over 50 mph, the risk of a death in a crash is doubled.
- Young male drivers, especially those between the ages of 17-30, are more likely to be involved in speed-related car accidents.
3. Impaired Driving
- Alcohol-related car accidents account for nearly 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
- While all age groups are guilty of driving under the influence, young adults aged 21-25 report the highest percentage of drunk driving.
4. Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
- This is one of the primary causes of urban car accidents.
- Intersections are particularly prone to accidents due to drivers not paying attention to street signs and traffic signals.
- Newly licensed drivers often struggle with judgment at intersections.
5. Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
- Tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, and passing in the other lane are driving behaviors that can lead to severe car accidents.
- Young male drivers are often overrepresented in aggressive driving incidents.
6. Weather Conditions
- Wet roads and bad weather conditions contribute to 1.2 million car accidents each year in the United States.
- Drivers 65 and over struggle more in adverse weather conditions due to declining vision and slower reaction times.
7. Failure to Yield the Right of Way
- This is often the result of drivers misjudging the speed of another vehicle or how far away/close other vehicles are.
- Both inexperienced drivers and older drivers show a higher likelihood of making these types of mistakes.
8. Poor Road Conditions
- Potholes, uneven surfaces, and other unexpected obstructions all play major roles in causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
- Inexperienced drivers have more trouble recognizing how to respond to road hazards than more experienced drivers.
9. Tire Wear, Under-Inflation, and Blowouts
- Recent data shows that tire wear, inflation issues, and blowouts cause 78,000+ car accidents, 10,000+ injuries, and more than 400 deaths each year.
- Older drivers often struggle more with reacting quickly to sudden events on the roadway.
10. Tire Wear, Under-Inflation, and Blowouts
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving leads to more than 100,000 car accidents, 50,000+ injuries, and 800+ fatalities each year.
- Shift workers, commercial truck drivers, and young drivers are particularly at risk here.
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