Top Causes of Car Accidents (and How to Avoid Them!)

Driving tips to help keep you out of accidents.

Believe it or not, but even the safest of drivers may have serious downfalls that put them in danger. Getting behind the wheel of a moving car is not only a huge responsibility but one that should be done with care and safety. However, all too often, American drivers get distracted or get caught out doing what they shouldn’t.
While you can’t eliminate every risk on the road, staying aware of the common causes of car accidents may just help you to avoid them!
Distracted Driving
Texting, calling, scanning social media, skipping a song… There’s a lot that our smartphones allow us to do. Unfortunately, many of us choose to do all of these while driving. Using phones, smart watches, and more increase the risk of being involved in an accident. You can’t control what the other drivers around you are doing, but you can drive defensively. Put your phone way out of reach so that you’re not tempted to pick it up in standstill traffic. Better yet, turn off the radio and focus on the road.
Impaired Driving
We hear all the time how dangerous it is to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These substances severely impair our ability to see, feel, and react. In turn, this leads to poor driving, speeding, and accidents with innocent people. The solution is simple: don’t drive after you’ve been drinking or using drugs. This includes prescription drugs, too.
Speeding
We understand that you need to make the green light otherwise you’ll be late for work or school, but speeding is never the solution. Accidents caused by excessive speeding kill more than 10,000 people a year. To tackle this, always drive at a safe speed. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily the speed limit. Weather conditions will affect the surface of the road, affecting your ability to stop in time.
Stay safe on the roads by driving safe and securing reliable auto insurance! Get started on securing the right policy for your needs and vehicle by contacting the professionals at McCarty Insurance Agency, serving Fresno and neighboring cities in California.