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Causes of Fatal Car Accidents

A car accident can cause major damages to both life and property. Of course, people would rather get away from an accident alive no matter what, even if they come away with injuries and financial damages. But on some occasions, accidents on the road can become fatal. While the probability of people dying from a car accident is relatively low (it’s estimated that less than 1% of all car accidents worldwide become fatal), the probability is still there, and these accidents have cost its fair share of lives. What are the different causes of fatal car accidents? Here are just some of them.

  • Driving under substance influence- When a driver is under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and other similar substances, they are at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. This is because of many reasons. An intoxicated driver can take more unnecessary risks, become oblivious to traffic rules and other motorists, have perception issues, and generally have less focus and reaction time than those who are not.
  • Reckless driving- A driver exponentially increases his/her chances in getting involved in a fatal accident by driving recklessly. Reckless road manners such as over speeding and swerving, especially during less-than-ideal road and weather conditions, dramatically decrease the margin of error available for the driver. And when that margin of error is breached, the consequences can be quite catastrophic.
  • Not wearing a seat belt- The safety belt is the most basic safety equipment found in all cars. Designed to break the momentum of a crash and keep the occupants firm in their seats, it’s scientifically proven to dramatically increase the odds of survival in the event of an accident. By not wearing a safety belt, a passenger can be thrown around during impact, resulting to potentially fatal injuries.
  • Lack of safety technologies- Every year, it seems that safety technology is getting improved with each passing year. From impact-absorbing body panels to anti-locking brakes, these technologies can either provide extra protection to occupants or give the driver a bigger margin of error to avoid accidents. But if these technologies are lacking, the potential of a fatal car accident happening is much higher.
  • Overconfidence in technologies- While technologies can have immense protective value, there are occasions when these technologies can do more harm than good. To be more specific, people gain a false sense of protection with the presence of these technologies. As a result, they take more unnecessary risks, making them more prone to accidents.
  • Distractions during driving- There are different things that can distract a driver. Potential driving distractions include using a cellphone while driving, turning up the music too loud, and looking at surrounding peculiarities such as billboards. When a driver gets distracted, there’s a higher chance he/she can make a mistake and get involved in an accident that can get fatal.

Those are just six of the most common reasons why fatal car accidents happen. Improving road safety features, following traffic rules, and keeping your eyes on the road can dramatically improve the chances of motorists to avoid car accidents.