Driving is something that nearly ever adult will do regularly since it’s the easiest way to travel long distances, maintain a schedule, go to work, and visit friends and family. However, there is always a potential risk that you’ll get into an accident or be injured every time you get on the road, so keep reading to find out more about the most common hazards out there.
1. Texting and Driving
Texting and driving is one of the main killers on the road in the information age, as more and more people are taking this issue lightly, using their phones while on the road and updating friends and family about where they are. This results in a much higher chance of being in an accident, as the driver is not looking at the road at all in most cases, resulting in pedestrians and other drivers getting caught up in an accident through no fault of their own.
2. Mechanical Failure
Knowing about potential dangers, especially problems with a vehicle’s mechanics, is essential for being a safer driver. Understanding how a vehicle works helps drivers spot and fix issues before they become big problems as mechanical failures, like brakes not working or engine trouble, can be really dangerous on the road and cause accidents. Mechanical failure, which is one of the most common cause of commercial truck accidents, highlights how important it is to regularly check and take care of the vehicles. Accordingly, truck drivers need to be extra careful because their trucks are big and heavy and if something goes wrong with these big trucks, it can lead to serious problems on the road.
3. Driving Aggressively
Many drivers feel that they’re good enough at driving to be aggressive and continuously overtake others even when there’s little space, when, in reality, this behavior means there’s an accident waiting to happen. When you’re on the road, you’ll have to ensure you’re following the rules of the road effectively and that, if there’s an aggressive driver behind you, you give them space so that you’re not caught in an accident if one occurs.
4. DUI
Driving while under the influence is one of the oldest and most common forms of vehicular accidents, but it’s becoming more and more pervasive throughout the world as fewer people care about the ramifications. It’s never a good idea to drink and drive, but you should look out for other drivers you think are inebriated, as staying away from those drivers on the road is crucial to your safety.
5. Effects of Pollution on Driving
Pollution has a vast number of effects on all kinds of processes, but one of the most troublesome changes it has caused are those that drivers feel during bad weather, like smog and excessive smoke in the air. If you’re living in a polluted region, you’ll find that much of the time, excessive smog reduces visibility, which increases the risk of getting in an accident, especially since drivers can barely see each other.
6. Speeding
Speeding is another common issue you’ll find most of the time you go out of the house and onto the road. Understanding the risks of speeding is important for making sure everyone stays protected on the road. Speeding makes it harder to control your vehicle, takes longer to stop and gives you less time to react which makes accidents more likely. Following the speed limits and adjusting your speed based on the road helps keep you and others safe. So, by being careful about how fast you’re driving, you’re helping to make driving safer for everyone.
7. Local Wildlife
In some parts of the United States, accidents caused by wildlife, especially deer, are incredibly common, as some animals will be crossing the street when you’re driving by, causing you to swerve at the last second and crash. There’s no great way to prevent this hazard, but if you make yourself aware of the chances you’ll run into a deer or another animal on a particular highway, you may drive safer and prevent an accident.
8. Tire Blowouts
A tire blowout happens when a tire suddenly loses air, making it harder to control your car and it can occur from many different hazards, like debris on the road, potholes, and tires that are too old and haven’t been maintained properly. To prevent this, it’s important to notice signs of tire wear, keep the right tire pressure, and regularly check for damage as being careful and fixing any tire issues quickly makes the road safer for you and others.
9. Bad Weather
Bad weather is another factor that frequently causes accidents all over the world, with the chief offenders being hurricanes, rainstorms, and snow. Hurricanes cause fast winds to spread all over a region, making your control over a car impaired, and rain and snow reduce traction significantly, which means the roads can get slippery, making it easier to slide or skid, reducing control and increasing braking time, which increases the chances of an accident.
10. Fatigue
Driving when you’re really tired is just as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs because when you’re exhausted, your reaction time slows down, and it’s hard to pay proper attention which can lead to making bad decisions and increase the chance of accidents. It’s crucial to make sure you’re well-rested before driving so that you can stay alert and focused so take breaks on long drives, get a good night’s sleep, and be aware of signs that show you’re too tired to drive.
Conclusion
Safety should be your primary concern when it comes to driving since there’s no point in driving rough to save a few seconds or minutes when the risk involved in doing so is so much higher. However, there are many more hazards that may pose some level of risk to your health regardless of how you drive, so it’s crucial to be aware of them and to prioritize your safety.
Written by: Stephanie Snyder
About the Author:
Stephanie Caroline Snyder graduated from The University of Florida in 2018 where she majored in Communications with a minor in Mass Media. Currently, she is an author, freelance writer, and blogger. She was born and raised in Panama City, Florida where her family still lives. The oldest of four children, Stephanie moved out to Utah to pursue her professional interests in early 2019 and has worked in content creation, blogging, and internet articles ever since.
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