When you get behind the wheel of a car, it's your responsibility to make sure you're operating said vehicle safely. In today's post, we'll take a look at three of the main causes of car accidents in the United States and how you can avoid them:
- Alcohol - Statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reveal that in 2012 alone, 10,322 people died in drunk driving crashes. That's one every 51 minutes. The organization also notes that on average, one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. If you've been drinking, there are plenty of alternative methods of transportation to seek out so that you don't get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated.
- Distractions - Approximately 421,000 Americans were injured in car accidents involving distracted drivers in 2012, reports Distraction.gov. Distracted driving includes behaviors like checking your cell phone, putting on makeup, using a navigation system and eating and drinking. When you're operating a vehicle, it's imperative that you avoid these behaviors so you don't pose a safety hazard to yourself and others.
- Speeding - "Speed is involved in about one out of three fatal crashes, according to NHTSA. It is the third leading contributing factor to traffic crashes," states the National Safety Council. "But while injuries and fatalities due to other dangerous behaviors, such as driving while impaired and not wearing seatbelts, have been significantly reduced, speeding is still a challenge."
In the event that you get in a car accident and you're charged with a driving-related crime, the experienced attorneys in Denver from The Orr Law Firm are here to help.