5 Common Causes of Auto Accidents That Happen In The City

Whether it’s rush hour or just a weekend afternoon, navigating streets full of cars and pedestrians can be hazardous. Unfortunately, car accidents are all too common in cities, but there is something you can do about it. By understanding their most common causes, you can ensure you are driving safely and will also know what to do after an auto accident.

Speeding 

Speeding is one of the most common causes of auto accidents that occur in urban areas. When motorists exceed the posted speed limit or drive too fast for the conditions, they put their lives and the lives of others at risk.

High speeds can increase the severity of injuries caused by accidents and reduce a driver’s reaction time to changing traffic signals, pedestrians, cyclists, or other hazards. For example, an individual driving at 35 miles per hour has almost forty percent more stopping distance than someone driving at 25 miles per hour.

Following road safety regulations and maintaining a safe speed should always be prioritized over convenience and getting to destinations faster.

Distracted Driving 

Distracted driving is another major cause of accidents. Increasing smartphone usage has made it nearly impossible to resist the pull of the digital world and away from our physical world, making distracted driving more frequent than ever.

Drivers who become distracted by their smartphones while navigating busy city streets put themselves and other drivers at risk for severe injury and property damage. To help protect themselves, city motorists must stay focused on the task at hand, remembering not to cross any boundaries when it comes to using the technology behind the wheel and strive instead to practice “defensive distraction.”

The best strategy for avoiding auto accidents caused by distracted driving is to avoid taking their eyes off the road so that they have enough time to react quickly and appropriately if any potential danger arises.

Failure to Yield 

Another major cause of car accidents occurs when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way to another driver who has already established control over an intersection or lane change. When these situations arise, both drivers must remain calm and patient until one of them has successfully yielded right-of-way or otherwise navigated around each other safely.

Stopping suddenly or swerving out of the way can lead to severe consequences, so always try your best to stay calm and pay attention while driving to avoid such scenarios as much as possible. 

Reckless Driving 

Another cause of auto accidents happens when someone drives recklessly—without regard for their safety or the safety of others on the road. This type of behavior often involves making sudden lane changes without signaling or running red lights, which can very quickly result in an accident if other drivers aren’t paying attention or expecting these actions from other motorists around them. 

Drunk Driving

Finally, drunk driving is one of the most dangerous causes of auto accidents—not only because it puts yourself at risk but also because it puts everyone around you at risk! The danger lies not only with the drinker themselves but also with other drivers sharing the same public space.

When someone chooses to drive after drinking alcohol, their reaction time, decision-making capabilities, and coordination are all diminished – increasing their chances of crashing and hurting themselves or someone else significantly. 

To combat this problem and help keep drivers safe from harm, police officers frequently conduct sobriety checkpoints to identify and apprehend impaired drivers before they can cause an accident.

Final Thoughts

City driving can be challenging due to heavy traffic, tight spaces, and an often chaotic atmosphere. Drivers should be aware that what starts as a minor incident can quickly lead to serious harm, so staying focused and respectful is essential. Prepare yourself to know what to do after an auto accident, and stay safe on the road!

TIME BUSINESS NEWS