There are around 16,500 car accidents per day in the US. That’s an alarming number. Mississippi has the highest number of fatal car accidents, with a death rate of 26 per 100,000 people. Texas also has a high number of fatal accidents, while in 2022, Nebraska recorded the highest percentage of multi-vehicle crashes (62%). Florida consistently ranks among the states with the most total car crashes, and for those injured in a car accident, the consequences can be life-changing. In 2023 alone, it saw nearly 395,000 car crashes, averaging about 1,082 per day, with 3,401 traffic-related deaths and 252,261 injuries.
While car accidents are depressingly familiar, there are many different causes. Let’s look at the most common reasons for car accidents on US roads.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents and was a factor in 11% of police-reported accidents in 2022. Drivers get easily distracted by texting, talking, eating, interacting with passengers, or adjusting music and navigation systems. Taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, can result in a serious crash. According to statistics, distracted driving accounts for over 3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries in the US annually. Drivers should avoid distractions and stay focused on driving at all times.
Drunk Driving
Driving after drinking alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction times and decreases coordination – making people three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. Drunk driving causes more than 10,000 deaths per year in America alone. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect driving ability. Driving skills start declining with just two drinks. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration levels (BAC) is 0.08% but driving is unsafe at any BAC level. Strict penalties exist for drunk driving yet it continues to be a common cause of accidents. The only safe approach is to never drink and drive.
Speeding
Many deadly car crashes are caused by drivers exceeding the posted speed limits. Speeding extends the distance a vehicle needs to stop, increasing the chances of collision. According to NHTSA, unsafe speed contributes to as many as a third of all fatal traffic accidents per year. Aggressive and competitive speeding also makes it harder to avoid dangerous situations on the road. Obeying speed limits is essential to curtail speed-related fatalities.
Reckless Driving
Reckless behaviors like swerving, improper passing, ignoring stop signs and traffic lights, overcorrecting, frequent lane changes, running red lights, and tailgating lead to preventable accidents every day. These actions display a blatant disregard for safety and traffic laws. Reckless driving often intersects with distracted, drunk, drowsy, or aggressive driving behavior. Strict laws prohibit reckless operation of a vehicle. Drivers should comply with all traffic regulations and practice defensive driving. Most importantly, operate your vehicle safely with care for others sharing the road.
Distractions, drunk driving, speeding, and reckless driving are among the main causes endangering lives on our roads. Drivers need to avoid dangerous behaviors, pay attention to driving, follow road rules, and operate vehicles in a safe manner. Automakers can also continue incorporating safety technologies into vehicles to prevent car crashes due to human error. Most car accidents can be prevented by being vigilant, responsible and following basic traffic safety practices.