Being involved in a car crash can be traumatic and instantly change your life. They can happen anywhere, whether on a stroll or a fast trip to the grocery store. 

According to Las Vegas car accident attorneys, “Even when people strive to make safe decisions, accidents still happen. Sometimes, it is the driver’s fault, but other times, it may be that of fellow road users”. 

Here are some common causes of car crashes and how best to handle them.

Tiredness

Driving requires focus and alertness. While it’s understandable that you may have had a long day and want to drive home anyway, fatigue is a reason for car accidents. Tired eyes and legs may not allow you to maneuver your way or even stay awake to drive safely. Opt for ride-sharing services to avoid accidents whenever you are too tired. 

Distractions

As humans, there is always the tendency to want to combine different activities at a time. You may want to quickly make that call, send a text or even eat with one hand while driving with the other. While there may be genuine reasons for wanting to do that, none is worth the resultant effect of an accident. It is best to focus while driving to avoid unplanned disasters.

Over Speeding

You want to get to your destination quickly but safely. Over speeding will not allow you to stop or slow down when you should. Imagine trying to stop at a zebra crossing, but you can’t because you are at full speed. Make use of speed limits so you don’t go overboard. That way, you make the breaks and stops as needed.

Ignoring Traffic Signs and Regulations

If allowed, drivers usually want to keep moving without hindrance or control. But this cannot be possible if everyone- drivers, passengers, animals, and other road users will be safe. Traffic signs are necessary – to guide behaviors on the road. Avoid making a U-turn where it is prohibited. Stop when the traffic light asks you to. Sparing a minute can make so much difference and help avoid casualties.

Driving Under the Influence

One reckless thing to do is to use drugs or alcohol before or while driving. These substances affect normalcy, and intoxication can make you drive rough. According to a study, drinking affects driving skills and raises the possibility of getting into an accident. This is one traffic offense you want to avoid. You may begin over speeding and entering potholes without caution. You sure do not want to endanger your life and the lives of other road users. So, what to do? Do not drink and drive, and do not drive and drink.

Car Malfunction

The condition of a car can also determine the safety of its users. If a car brake is faulty, it will not be able to stop and can cause a fatal accident. This also applies to other parts of the vehicle, the tires, door, headlights, wiper, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to make regular checks for replacements or repairs.

Animals

Usually, there are designated animal crossings. But sometimes, large animals can jump on the road unexpectedly, causing the driver to want to avoid them. If not well managed, the situation could lead to an accident. Therefore, it is necessary to slow down in animal crossings and always be careful.

Driving in the Rain

Weather conditions like rain can pose a threat to driving. After a storm, the road becomes slippery and requires more effort to control the car’s movement. Also, in the case of flooding, the driver may find it hard to maneuver the wheels due to the pressure from the water. Vision may also be impaired at the time, making driving difficult. In such cases, you may consider parking at a safe place until the condition improves.

Driving in the Dark

It is tasking to drive in the dark even though your car’s headlights may be on. Some drivers struggle to see, especially with vehicles with their headlights on coming on the opposite side. If you are uncomfortable driving in the dark, do all you can to go to your destination in the daytime. 

Overtaking without Caution

The urge to overtake is usually high, especially when you think the vehicles before you are moving too slowly. However smart this may seem, it can pose a threat. Just imagine not sighting an oncoming vehicle from another lane! That’s a head-on collision right there. You may even have to pass through a pothole and drive roughly to overtake the car before you. This may cause an accident, which puts you in bad shape. Patience is always necessary to drive safely on the road.

Much more than wanting to arrive at your destination early, safety is of the essence. As much as possible, apply caution when driving and also pay attention to the state of your car. Car accidents can leave lasting damages, and so should be prevented.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post <strong>Common Causes of Car Accidents and How to Handle Them</strong> appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW is one of the few luxurious cars that offer the best for its monetary value. For many people, the experience of driving a BMW can never be explained to someone else until they get behind the wheel themselves.

However, like any other car, a BMW can be involved in an accident.

According to a Philadelphia car accident lawyer, this is irrespective of your driving skills. However, a driver’s experience can play a significant role in avoiding some accidents.

The world still awaits car technology that can completely eliminate road accidents. Until then, we have analyzed some ways to avoid and minimize car accidents.

Wear your seat belt

In 2004, a World Health Report on road safety urged all nations to mandate seat belts to reduce the impact of car accidents. Now you should not be too surprised about why government road authorities enforce its use.

Meanwhile, this recommendation is not intended to inconvenience car drivers and passengers.

A study published in 2018 confirmed that using seat belts significantly reduces the impact of car accidents. Specifically, it reduces the risk of major injuries on the face, abdomen and spinal cord.

Do not Overspeed

Overspeeding has been linked to a considerable number of accidents. In fact, according to the WHO, increasing your speed by 1 percent above the stipulated speed in an area can increase your chance of fatal crashes by 4 percent.

Not only that, but it can also decrease the survival chance of pedestrians, bikers and joggers that may get in the way.

In contrast, not overspeeding, aside from preventing your car from crashing, can reduce your BMW fuel consumption. Generally, vehicles require the most energy when accelerating.

12-second driving rule

Since a lot of collisions are a result of driver distraction, therefore, experts recommend the use of the 12-second rule.

The 12-second rule implies that a driver should observe the road at least 12 seconds far, away from the present spot. This would help the driver spot any danger or obstacles before coming too close.

To apply this method, while driving, identify an object ahead, such as a billboard and start counting the seconds it took you to reach the object.

If you pass the object before the 12-second countdown, adjust your speed. Affording more than 12 seconds between you and the targeted object is another idea worth considering whenever it is possible.

Avoid distraction

Every day in the United States, at least nine people lose their lives because of distracted driving. About 1 in 5 of these people were never in the car; they are pedestrians or bikers.

The use of mobile phones is a key contributor to distracted driving. Studies have revealed that using a phone while driving can increase the risk of accidents by four times.

To avoid this, avoid anything that could take your mind off the road. This includes eating, assisting kids in the back seat or trying to read the sentences on a billboard. If any of these are essential, pull over to attend to them.

Do not drive while drunk

Drunk driving is responsible for at least the death of one person every 45 minutes in America.

It is alright to have fun; we all need such time to relieve work stress. But whenever you plan to drive, do not drink, and when you drink, do not drive. You can ask a friend to drop you off or, better yet, use a ride service.

Alcohol interferes with the brain and influences how it works including the interpretation of visuals. It affects the part of the brain that controls balance, speech and cognition.

Be careful while driving in rain and snow

Except it is important, do not drive in rain and snow. They reduce visibility and make the road slippery.

Therefore, if you must drive, be more vigilant and cautious. Any error while making a turn, for instance, can spin your car out of control.

For optimal safety, change your tyres to better compatible ones, such as snow tyres, during this period.

Never run red lights

There is nothing to justify running a stop sign or red light, it is a traffic law violation and could endanger pedestrians’ lives.

Even though drivers know this is wrong, many still do it. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), 1 in 3 drivers run the red light at least once every 30 days of driving.

Ignoring red lights has resulted in 9,000 deaths in the last decade. While 165,000 people, including bikers, joggers and others not in the car, are injured annually.

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About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post 7 Ways BMW Drivers Can Avoid and Minimize the Impact of Car Accidents appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.