According to statistics, car accidents are the leading cause of death for people ages 16 to 25. Yet, even though most of us know that driving is risky, we don’t always understand why.
So we asked our experts some questions about what factors make driving more dangerous than it seems at first glance and what you can do about it.
| # | Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | There are many factors that can increase your risk of getting into a car accident, including distracted driving, speeding, and poor weather conditions. |
| 2 | To avoid car accidents, it’s important to follow traffic laws, drive defensively, and stay aware of your surroundings at all times. |
| 3 | If you do get into a car accident, staying calm, following proper procedures, and documenting the scene can all be helpful in resolving the situation. |
| 4 | Continually educating yourself on car safety and taking proactive measures to minimize your risk can help you stay safe on the road. |
| 5 | There are many resources available, including articles, courses, and studies, that can provide valuable information on car accidents and how they can be prevented. |
Here’s everything you need to know about car accidents and how they happen:
Driving With Your Window Down
Driving with your window down is an easy way to increase your risk of a car accident. The air flow that comes in through the open window can be distracting, and it’s also possible for the window to pop out of its frame if you hit another car or something else on the road.
You don’t want broken glass flying into your face when this happens!
If you’re driving down the interstate at 70 mph, then a falling object could also be devastating if it were to strike anyone inside your vehicle.
It’s best practice not only for safety reasons but also because some states consider it illegal to drive with one’s windows down at all times (even when stopped).
Whether you’re going on a long road trip or just driving across town, safety should always be your top priority. Take the necessary steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe with our comprehensive guide on 16 Simple Steps to Avoid a Car Accident.
Listening To The Radio
Listening to the radio is distracting. There’s no denying that a good song or two can make your drive more fun, but if you’re trying to find a station or a certain song, it can take away from your focus on driving.
Wearing Shoes That Are Ill-Fitting Or Uncomfortable
Wearing shoes that are ill-fitting or uncomfortable can put you at risk for an accident. For example, if your shoes have heels and you’re not used to wearing them, they could cause your feet to slide around in the shoe, increasing the risk of an accident.
Shoes that are too tight can also affect balance and lead to accidents as well as toes being squished against the front of the shoe.
Similarly, if shoes are too large (or small) they may allow a foot to slide around within a shoe which can also lead to accidents
Did you know that common driving habits like speeding, texting while driving, and driving under the influence can increase your risk of being in a car accident? Learn about these, and other dangerous driving behaviors, in our article on You Won’t Believe What These Common Driving Habits Could Be Doing to Your Safety.
Having A Cold
Cold air can cause congestion, which makes it harder to breathe. Having a cold can also make you more susceptible to having an accident if you suffer from clogged sinuses and dried-out mucus membranes in your nose.
If you have a cold, consider taking a few days off work so that you don’t put yourself or anyone else at risk of an accident.
| Medication Name | Active Ingredients | Recommended Dosage | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afrin Decongestant Nasal Spray | Oxymetazoline | 2-3 sprays per nostril every 10-12 hours | Burning, stinging, dryness of nasal passages |
| Theraflu Cold & Flu | Acetaminophen, Pheniramine, Phenylephrine | 2 capsules every 4 hours | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth |
| Mucinex | Guaifenesin | 1-2 tablets every 12 hours with a full glass of water | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness |
| Nyquil Cold & Flu | Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Phenylephrine | 30 mL every 6 hours | Drowsiness, dizziness, headache |
| Robitussin | Dextromethorphan | 10 mL every 4 hours | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness |
This table compares various cold medications based on their active ingredients, recommended dosages, and common side effects. Use this information to make an informed decision about which medication is right for you.
Being Angry Or Distracted
If you’ve ever been in a car with someone who was angry, you know that it can be very distracting. Anger can cause people to make decisions they wouldn’t normally make, like taking risks or pulling out in front of other drivers.
It can also cause them to take their eyes off the road and focus on their anger instead, which is dangerous for both them and others on the road.
If you find yourself getting angry behind the wheel, try not to let it get the best of you. Take some deep breaths and count down from 10 whenever possible until your anger subsides enough so that you feel like yourself again then focus back on driving safely!
Being Overweight
If you’re carrying a few extra pounds, you may want to consider dropping them. The heavier you are, the more energy it takes to move your body.
That means if your car is hit from behind or if you have to brake quickly, it’s going to take longer for you to recover from a collision than someone who isn’t overweight.
You’ll also find that being overweight can make driving harder in other ways: It will be more difficult for you to fit into smaller spaces like parking spots and lanes without hitting another car or running off the road into parked cars or guardrails.
And while we’re at it—the bigger your vehicle is (such as an SUV), the harder it will be for other drivers on busy streets because they’ll need more room when passing by so their mirrors don’t get smashed against yours!
Being aware of when it’s most dangerous to drive can help you take extra precautions to stay safe on the road. Read our article on The Most Dangerous Times to Drive: When You’re Most at Risk on the Road to learn about the times when you need to be especially careful on the road.
Being Overconfident About Your Driving Skills
Don’t let your ego get in the way of safe driving. It’s perfectly normal to feel proud of yourself for passing your drivers test, but don’t let that sense of accomplishment make you assume you are better than you really are.
Instead, if there are things about driving that you aren’t sure about, ask someone who has experience in that area for help.
Drive defensively and be aware of other drivers at all times. This will help keep distractions down so they don’t distract others on the road as well!
Having A Poor Diet
A poor diet can have a significant impact on your health, and that could affect your ability to drive safely.
You should aim to eat a balanced diet and avoid processed foods as much as possible. If you’re experiencing low energy levels, try eating more high-fibre food such as whole grains (such as brown rice), oats and fruit.
Foods containing vitamin B6 are also thought to help boost concentration levels in those who have low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia). These include meat, liver and fortified breakfast cereals
A Clean Car Interior
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth noting: If your car looks like it’s been cleaned up recently and has a good appearance, that’s a good sign in terms of safety.
A clean car interior is a sign that you take care of your things (and the people who use them), which has been shown to be associated with lower rates of accidents.
From distracted driving to speeding, there are many common causes of car accidents that everyone should be aware of. Stay informed and learn how to avoid these risky behaviors with our article on The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents: Avoid Them at All Costs.
Driving With Your Purse On The Passenger Seat
Driving with your purse on the passenger seat. This is a very common mistake that drivers make, and it can be dangerous.
If you put your purse on the passenger seat, you could lose control of your car if it falls off. It’s also unsafe to keep it in the back seat because someone might open their door and hit it without realizing that there is something there.
The safest place for them is always on the floor next to you or behind your seat so that nothing falls out when you slam on brakes or get into an accident
Driving With The Air Conditioner On High
It’s not just your car that can suffer when the air conditioner is on high. You could be at risk for dehydration, overheating, and distraction as well.
The air conditioner cools your body temperature by blowing dry air across your skin, which evaporates sweat.
This means you’ll need to drink more water because it takes more energy to keep hydrated with a higher body temperature. If you don’t drink enough water while driving with the AC on high, then dehydration becomes a very real possibility and that’s not all!
You may also find yourself feeling overheated due to all of the extra evaporation taking place inside of your vehicle.
Feeling too hot while driving is distracting in itself especially if there are other people in the vehicle who may be uncomfortable as well but what makes this worse is when you’re also trying not to overheat from being so close to an open window or door (this can happen even if it isn’t very hot outside).
The result? Increased sweating caused by both external factors like heat waves coming off pavement/roadways/etc., along with internal ones like breathing harder because airflow isn’t flowing properly through cabin vents anymore.
Eating And Drinking While Driving
You might think you’re being a responsible, multitasking driver by eating and drinking as you drive. But as it turns out, this habit can increase your risk of an accident.
The fact is that when people are distracted by food or drink, they often lose control of their vehicles.
They might spill something on themselves or in the car’s interior which means they have to take time away from driving to clean up and they may even snap at other drivers who aren’t paying attention either!
There are many myths about car safety that can end up putting drivers at risk. Make sure you have accurate information about how to stay safe on the road by checking out our article on 15 Deadly Myths About Car Safety That You Need to Know.
Being A Smoker (Addicted To Nicotine).
One of the most common reasons for a car accident is driving while drowsy. This can happen immediately after you have had too little sleep, or after you’ve been awake for too long and haven’t had any caffeine.
Nicotine is a stimulant, so it will keep you awake in the short term, but it can also make you drowsy later on.
If you are addicted to nicotine, it’s not just your heart and lungs that may suffer you could also be at greater risk of getting into an accident because of what nicotine does to your brain functions like reaction time and decision-making ability.
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor (a substance that causes blood vessels to constrict). It makes your blood pressure rise slightly as well as causing your heart rate to increase somewhat more than usual.
| Factors | Data |
|---|---|
| Smokers are twice as likely to get into a car accident as nonsmokers. | CDC |
| Nicotine impairs driving abilities by reducing reaction time, fine motor skills, and visual perception. | NCBI |
| Drivers who smoke are more likely to take risks while driving, such as speeding and running red lights. | Healthline |
| Young drivers who smoke or use e-cigarettes are 2 to 3 times more likely to get into a car accident than non-smoking young drivers. | American Journal of Preventive Medicine |
| Smoking while driving can lead to distracted driving, as the act of smoking requires the use of one or both hands. | Healthline |
Note: Smoking and nicotine addiction can increase the risk of car accidents by impairing driving abilities, reducing reaction time, and increasing the likelihood of taking risks while driving. It is important for smokers and nicotine users to understand the impact that their addiction can have on their safety behind the wheel.
Driving While Drowsy, Especially When Traveling Long Distances Or Late At Night/Early In The Morning
Drowsy driving is a serious problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States, accounting for about 20 percent of all fatal traffic crashes each year.
The CDC also estimates that drowsy driving causes around 52,000 crashes annually across America.
This type of driver fatigue can be caused by a number of factors including lack of sleep, stress, medications and alcohol consumption but whatever its source, recognizing when you’re tired behind the wheel is crucial because drowsiness affects your reaction time and ability to process information quickly.
If you find yourself yawning while driving or struggling to focus on what’s happening around you while behind the wheel even after taking breaks on long trips take these steps:
Not Getting Enough Sleep Each Night, Or Not Sleeping Well/Quality Sleep
Sleep deprivation can affect your reaction time, concentration and attention. You may feel drowsy behind the wheel and not be able to concentrate on driving.
Sleep deprivation, in turn, increases your risk of accidents even when you’re not behind the wheel. It’s a vicious cycle.
If you’re sleep-deprived because of a lack of quality or quantity of sleep, you might also have trouble concentrating at home or work which means that it’s likely that those around you will notice something is wrong (and likely complain about it).
In addition to putting yourself at risk for car accidents while driving, not getting enough sleep can put you at risk for other types of accidents as well: falling down stairs while walking; tripping over objects when cooking; hurting yourself with tools while working on projects around the house; etcetera!
| Factors | Data |
|---|---|
| Adults who sleep less than 7 hours per night are more likely to report falling asleep while driving in the past 30 days. | CDC |
| Being awake for 18 hours straight makes you drive like you have a blood alcohol level of .05 (for reference, .08 is considered legally drunk). | National Sleep Foundation |
| The risk of a car accident is 33% higher among people who snore loudly. | Sleep Foundation |
| Drowsy driving causes at least 100,000 accidents, 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities each year | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Over 50% of Americans claim they have driven while feeling drowsy, and 20% admit to having actually fallen asleep behind the wheel in the past year. | AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety |
Note: Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality are common factors that can increase the risk of car accidents. Lack of sleep can impair your judgment, reaction time, and general driving abilities, which can be dangerous on the road. It is important to prioritize getting enough quality sleep each night to help prevent accidents.
Conclusion
Having a well maintained car is important for preventing accidents. But so are factors that you can’t necessarily control.
Even if you do everything right, there’s no guarantee an accident won’t happen to you. The best way to stay safe behind the wheel is by being aware of your surroundings and knowing when it might be time to get out of harm’s way.
Takeaway: If you’re worried about car accidents, the most important thing is to stay alert while driving and always keep an eye on what other cars are doing around them!
Further Reading
If you want to learn more about car accidents and how to avoid them, here are some additional resources you may find helpful:
7 Common Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them by Travelers Insurance – This article covers seven common types of car accidents and provides tips for how to avoid them.
Factors that Increase the Risk of Crashes on Youth.gov – This resource describes various factors that increase the risk of car crashes, including driver behavior, vehicle factors, and environmental factors.
Preventing traffic accidents by artificial intelligence: Evaluating the effectiveness of FRIDA in reducing mortality on roadside accidents in Mexico – This study examines how artificial intelligence can be used to prevent traffic accidents and reduce mortality rates.
FAQs
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
The most common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and poor vehicle maintenance.
How can I avoid getting into a car accident?
There are several things you can do to avoid car accidents, such as avoiding distractions while driving, following traffic laws, driving defensively, and maintaining your vehicle properly.
What should I do if I get into a car accident?
If you get into a car accident, you should stay calm, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if possible, call emergency services if anyone is injured, exchange insurance information with the other driver, and document the scene of the accident.
How can I improve my driving skills?
You can improve your driving skills by taking a defensive driving course, practicing your driving in a variety of conditions, and staying up-to-date on traffic laws and safety tips.
What should I do if I witness a car accident?
If you witness a car accident, you should stop your vehicle in a safe location and call emergency services if anyone is injured. You may also be asked to provide a witness statement to the police or the insurance companies involved.
Hello friends. My name is Hellen James and I’m here to help you make good decisions when it comes to buying, selling, and maintaining your vehicles.
