The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Every day in South Africa an estimated 36 lives lost in car accidents. And while there are a number of traditional triggers, driving under the influence and speeding remains the leading cause of an accident.

Although human error is reported to be the sole cause of 57% of all accidents and contributory factor in at least 90% of all incidents on our roads, it can be divided into several subcategories, including drink driving, speeding and driver fatigue.

Car accidents cost 35 billion annually

According to Arrive Alive South Africa, 90% of all accidents on the roads due to lawlessness, an anomaly, which costs the state, individuals and trade estimated 35 billion annually. These startling statistics, it is ideal for instant motor vehicle owners to ensure they are adequately covered by the car accident, as there is a high probability of being involved in an accident at some point in our lives. You can be an excellent driver, but you can never be sure if the other drivers on the road course.

The number of fatal accidents involving drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs continues to explode exponentially, although traffic authorities have stepped up their road safety campaign, especially during the holidays when road usage is at its peak. In 2004, for example, 197 accidents were allegedly caused by driving drunk, but two years later the number had exploded to 312 - an unacceptable 2.55% more drivers in fatal crash was drunk!

80% of drivers over the speed limit

In South Africa, speeding is a particular problem with the vast majority of motorists simply ignore the speed limit. In a recent case study in Mpumalanga, for example, nearly 80% of all motorists driving over the speed limit, and this is not an isolated event. Speeding and alcohol together are a deadly combination, and research conducted in the United States shows that a much higher percentage of drinking drivers involved in fatal car accident was also faster.

Drowsiness a major cause of fatality

Although driver fatigue can not be classified as lawlessness, it falls under the category of driver negligence, and it is assumed to be the primary factor in thousands of accidents each year. The reason that the word "likely" is used here, is because it is very difficult to prove that driver fatigue.

In the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claimed lethargy as the overwhelming cause of 4% of all fatal traffic accidents and South Africa should fall under this category. Drivers tend to fall asleep or lose concentration at high speed, long, boring stretches of road, but there are simple ways to avoid driver fatigue.

Try to make long trips with a passenger, preferably a talkative one, which will act as a co-driver

Be sure to take regular stops every two hours, if possible, where you can stretch their legs, get a cup of coffee or a cold drink and a quick bite to eat

Rather avoid medicines when you are driving so many of them can cause drowsiness and never consume alcohol when driving

Before you become another accident statistic, follow the simple suggestions above, comply with traffic rules and make sure you have sufficient accident insurance, and you should enjoy an incident-free driving for many years to come.