The term “car accident” is actually something of a misnomer. For something to be an accident, it needs to be an innocent mistake. Driving accidents are typically caused by negligence on the part of at least one of the drivers. When they happen, they can seem to come out of nowhere. That’s why it’s important to know all about the science behind driving accidents, in order to avoid them.
Timing
Cars move fast. That’s a no-brainer. Yet, it might not feel like it when you’re sitting inside one and are used to the speed, but reality can sink it swiftly if you’re not paying attention. In order to prevent a car accident, the vehicles on the road need to be moving in harmony. This means they should be going at the same speed and doing things like merging and changing lanes correctly. Doing these things improperly means they can make a move when the other driver isn’t expecting it, with potentially devastating results.
If you’re on the highway, for example, and are going 50 miles per hour in an area where the limit is 70, then you’re going way too slow. Doing this may seem like you’re just being cautious to you, but it can be dangerous. It forces everyone else to change their driving rhythm by having to go around you or slowing down. If you’re going too fast, you may cause some anxiety in drivers who may feel like they need to switch lanes and change their driving a bit to adjust to you.
Awareness
If you’re only paying attention to the road 99 percent of the time, you’re not much better than anyone who only pays attention half the time. Accidents can happen anytime, and lapses in awareness are the perfect time for this to happen. If you’re looking at something else (say, your phone) this means you’re not able to focus on controlling the car when you need to. You might be blindsided by a driver changing lanes or end up making an illegal turn. You could also get into a failure to yield accident that could put you in a head-to-head collision with another driver.
Weather
Bad weather like rain and snow is often a catalyst for driving accidents. Roads aren’t always equipped to handle the decrease in traction, and neither are drivers. There are things to do when driving in inclement weather. For one, you should slow down as much as possible and keep your headlights on. You should also know what to do in case you get in a spinout. If you can avoid driving during these times, you should do so.
Mental Health
If your mind is fogged up, driving is going to be difficult. You need to be focused on what’s going on as much as possible. Drivers who are stressed out before getting in the car are much more likely to get into accidents. Make sure that before you drive, you feel okay to drive. It’s not fair to other drivers to have someone on the road who isn’t prepared to drive.
As a licensed driver, you’ve been entrusted with a great responsibility. In order to prove your worth, you need to practice proper driving habits at all times. Disaster can strike in just an instant. So, it’s best to be prepared.
