According to information published by the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Motor Vehicle Management, 98% of collisions are caused by driver error.
Learn how you can do your part to steer clear of a collision.
Driving Too Fast
At one time or another, most every licensed driver has been guilty of exceeding the speed limit.
Speeding may cause you to miss warnings that traffic is slowing or suddenly stopping ahead. You may also miss traffic signs or come upon road obstructions with no time to react or stop.
Traveling at high speeds and being involved in a collision could mean more extensive vehicle damage, bodily injury or even fatalities.
Slowing Down for Weather Conditions
The weather doesn’t always make for the best road conditions. Whether it’s foggy or raining hard enough to make the roads slippery, it’s a signal to reduce traveling speed.
Drivers who continue to put the pedal to the metal despite bad weather conditions don’t give themselves time to stop or slow down in time to avoid a collision.
Simply reducing speed to make allowances for slippery roads or bad visibility helps prevent weather-related collisions.
Road Rage
Many people go through life with short fuses which is never more apparent than while driving. If in a rush, stuck in a traffic jam or dealing with road construction, there is no shortage of frustrating circumstances when driving.
When responding with rage, frustrated drivers tend to speed, cut in traffic lanes, drive aggressively and ultimately, put themselves and surrounding drivers in circumstances ripe for a collision.
Inattentive Driving
Inattentive driving defined means paying attention to anything other than the road.
When eyes and full focus are not on driving, road conditions and surrounding drivers, it causes collisions.
Distractions include but are not limited to texting, talking on the phone or with passengers, playing with the radio or other controls, eating or searching for something in the car.
Fatigue
Driving while fatigued is another dangerous driver error. From reducing reaction times to an inability to concentrate to falling asleep at the wheel, all roads lead to the potential for a collision.
Skip drowsy-inducing medications and get enough rest before taking the wheel to lower the risk of what could be a very serious collision.
Operating Under the Influence
If there’s any one preventable cause of a collision, it’s driving while impaired. Driving under the influence of any kind of drug such as alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, etc. puts both driver and surrounding motorists in grave danger.
Operating under the influence reduces awareness, concentration, response time, and sets the stage for many other collision-causing factors.
A designated driver or Uber is worth the investment of saving lives.
Conclusion
While no one wants to be involved in a collision and even if you’re careful, accidents happen.
If you’ve been in a collision in the Sonoma County area, don’t hesitate to contact Downtown Autobody. Our expert collision repair technicians will get you back on the road fast.