Automobiles are an integral part of US culture and make the United States one of the leading countries in the automotive industry. Although automobiles are a synonym for convenience and a means of transportation for reaching the desired destination, they can also cause a lot of tragedy and pain as they are one of the main causes of car accidents in the country.
As a densely populated state with more and more drivers on congested roads, California is among the leading US states with a high number of car accidents ending up in fatalities which can lead to serious legal battles.
For instance, if you live in Torrance, CA, and you are involved in a serious car accident, it is always wise to find a legal representative to explore your options on how you can handle a car accident claim if necessary. Statistics about car accidents in Torrance, CA have helped raise awareness in the efforts to reduce the number of such unfortunate incidents and have taught people what to do if something like this happens.
As a way to prevent these tragic occurrences, in the article below, we take a look at certain root causes of car accidents in California.
Speeding
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Even though most people understand that speeding is a foolish and dangerous way of driving, it is still one of the biggest road safety problems in the Golden State. Exceeding the automobile’s speed by just 5 mph in the wrong place can lead to a disastrous outcome.
Speeding accidents also are more likely to have catastrophic and fatal outcomes, given the large amount of energy released during the crash. At high speed, the vehicle requires greater distance to stop and the impact is, therefore, greater during a crash, which in turn causes more injuries. A driver can also be unable to judge forthcoming events when driving at a faster speed which leads to errors in judgment and an unfortunate crash.
Driving enthusiasts must realize that they are never alone on the roadway which they are traveling along and that speeding is a serious and severe traffic violation that leaves detrimental consequences.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol, drugs, and medications negatively affect driving ability and do not belong in traffic at all. They are a threat to oneself and others. The common denominator of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is that they can create fatigue, drowsiness, impaired attention, drowsiness, or elation. Unfortunately, this is a very common cause of car crashes and traffic deaths in California.
Mixing alcohol and drugs with driving may quickly turn into a great misfortune. It reduces a driver’s ability to concentrate, the time that a human body needs to react and it hampers the proper and clear vision.
Not only do they influence the physical movements and skills, but also cause mental changes as they dampen fear and incite drivers to take silly risks. With all this taken into consideration, it is no wonder why there are so many fatalities on Californian roads.
Be a cautious and respectful driver by never operating a vehicle under the influence and always use a designated driver.
Driver Distraction
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By definition, driver distraction means that a person operating a vehicle, does not have their eyes and mind on task, and their hands might not even be on the steering wheel. This is a very widespread problem in California but since it’s difficult to prove that distraction was a factor in the crash, the concrete number of distracted driving accidents is unknown.
As we all know, distractions might occur outside and inside the car. The common types of distraction inside a vehicle include talking and texting on a cellphone, adjusting mirrors, eating, sipping coffee, reading GPS and playing with instrument controls, browsing the internet and social media, as well as talking to passengers in the vehicle.
Although it sounds naïve and slightly comical and some crashes can end up being minor, car accidents that lead to great pain and suffering, loss of earning, and receiving high medical bills are caused by these distractions. Creating awareness among drivers regarding these distractions may prevent and diminish such staggering car accident statistics.
Weather-Related Accidents
Believe it or not, thousands of people are injured in weather-related car accidents each year in Cali. Sometimes, no matter how safely one drives, bad weather circumstances can significantly increase the risks of becoming involved in a car accident.
A weather-related accident can be interpreted as an accident that occurs in adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, heavy winds, and snow. They swiftly affect road conditions and drivers might face mobility problems and situations like flooding, debris on roads blown out by strong winds, and roads being closed to hazardous conditions.
A contributing factor in numerous collisions in this state is inclement weather. Limited visibility is a reason why drivers can be caught up in some situations where they have a hard time seeing other vehicles and impediments may suddenly happen which leaves them with a short time to react. Slippery roads and navigation difficulty are also dangerous combinations leading to crashes.
Even though weather conditions are unpredictable and may pose a risk, it is always the driver’s responsibility to be cautious. Their vehicle must be properly serviced, making sure that tires, brakes, and lights are in a good condition. Last but not least, drivers must always adapt their speed according to the road and weather conditions. If not, legal responsibility might ensue if an accident happens.
Red Light Jumping and Tailgating
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We are frequently witnessing vehicles crossing road intersections without the slightest care for the traffic lights. The common conception behind this ridiculous act is that it could save time and fuel.
Not only does a driver like this jeopardize and risk their own life, but they also risk the safety of other road drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
If you have not grown familiar with the word tailgating by now, this is when a driver does not maintain a safe distance behind the car in front of them and follows them too closely, riding upon their tail. This is considered a dangerous and aggressive type of driving as it can lead to loss of control and slamming into another driver’s rear bumper causing a rear-end collision.
We recommend that you don’t bypass the rule of keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front especially in bad road conditions as it is harder to determine the distance.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the leading causes of car accidents in California can be instrumental and life-saving as it raises awareness among drivers, helping to create safer roads for our beloved ones.
Speeding, impaired driving, being distracted while steering the wheel, red light jumping, and unfortunate circumstances like bad weather can all lead to devastating situations which we must control.
Traffic is part of the human everyday environment and we all need sufficient knowledge to be able to move safely. Therefore, the most important thing is that you have a positive attitude towards safe habits, security, and health.