About 1.35 million people worldwide die each year on roadways. Road traffic injury is so prevalent it is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide, claiming more lives than AIDS or HIV. Car accidents, however, can be avoided with safety practices.
Below are some of the common causes of road accidents and what you can do to avoid them.
Alcohol
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol-related vehicle crashes continue to kill about 10,000 people in the United States per year despite warnings from educational and public awareness programs, and stiffer penalties for people who drink and drive.
One out of three motor vehicle deaths in the country is, in fact, caused by alcohol. Avoiding alcohol-related accidents is as simple as not driving when you drink. A driver with blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of at least 0.10 has seven times greater risk of being involved in a deadly car accident.
Distractions
Many drivers think it is harmless to make calls while driving, but this is way more dangerous than many people believe. Distracted driving becomes an increasing threat each year. It has also become one of the leading causes of car accidents.
Make sure you pay attention to the road when you drive. Do not call or text while behind the wheel. Grooming, putting on makeup or eating can also distract you when you drive.
Road Construction Sites
Roads that are in poor condition need to be fixed, but road construction sites can be hazardous for both drivers as well as workers. Drivers may get confused about how to safely navigate the area if a sign or cone is misplaced.
Contractors should properly set up the construction zone after purchasing road work signs for sale to indicate that construction is ongoing and warn passersby of potential hazards.
They can also barricade or isolate the construction zones. Drivers, on the other hand, should drive slowly in construction areas to avoid accidents.
Stop Signs
You should not ignore the stop signs. Stop signs accidents usually happen when two vehicles collide due to both drivers thinking they have the right of way, or because one of the drivers ran a stop sign.
Animals
Animals also account for a number of road accidents and injuries. Cows, deer and even squirrels are the cause of more than 26,000 injuries along roads annually. Motorists can be injured when they hit an animal or when they swerve to avoid hitting an animal.
To prevent vehicular accidents that involve animals, always be alert even if you think you are alone on the road. You can also use the high beams if there is no traffic coming toward you so you can see further what is ahead and get more time to slow down if you have seen an animal further away.
Swerving into another lane may not always be a good idea if you want to avoid an animal. Do not swerve where you can lose control and possibly hit another vehicle.
