Common causes of Auto Accidents
Vehicle manufacturers are forever working to make vehicles safer through technology such as airbags and proximity and drift monitors which warn the driver they are entering a dangerous area. Changing driver behavior is essential but can be difficult. People drive so often they start to feel the road does not present danger, and therefore lack on their defensive driving skills. Drivers often do not obey speed limits or adjust to road conditions, presenting danger not only to themselves but others around them.
Rollovers
Rollovers have become a common type of auto accident in the US, and perhaps the most dangerous. SUVs (sport-utility vehicles) tend to have more top weight then sedans and are therefore more likely to rollover in the event of a sudden swerve. These accidents can be deadly because drivers or passengers can be ejected from the vehicle if they are not wearing their seatbelts (83% of such accidents were fatal), but the risk is reduced dramatically if the driver or passengers are wearing their seatbelts (only 25% were fatal accidents). Many SUV manufacturers are working to make SUVs safer through establishing lower centers of gravity and enhanced suspension.
Cell Phone Usage
Roads in the US that have less restrictive speed limits tend to present less instances of auto accidents, but perhaps the biggest focus of accident prevention should be on driver distractions and age, as in younger or older drivers. Cell phone use and other technology available to drivers cause drivers to become distracted and reduce their focus on the road. Drivers under the age of 20 and over the age of 70 run a much higher risk of auto accidents than drivers in other age ranges. Many of these accidents cause serious injury or fatality.
Alcohol
About 41% of all auto accidents are alcohol related. An estimated 18,000 people are killed in such auto accidents and there are about 327,000 injuries annually. Police departments everywhere are cracking down on drunk drivers. Checkpoints are often set up to catch out drunk drivers. Laws are pretty strict regarding drunk driving offenders, especially repeat offenders. In some states the bar may be held accountable for over-serving the drunk driver.
Also learn about what to do if you are involved in an auto accident