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The Virginia Car
Accident Guide
Special Report
| Common Causes of Car Accidents |
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Four factors contribute to the vast majority of collisions. They are: - Driver Behavior - Poor Roadway Maintenance - Roadway Design - Equipment Failure In fact, OVER 95% of motor vehicle accidents involve some degree of driver behavior combined with one of the other three factors. Drivers always try to blame road conditions, equipment failure, or other drivers for their accidents. However, when the facts are truthfully presented, the behavior of the implicated driver is usually the primary cause. Driver Behavior Humans tend to blame somebody or something else when a mistake or accident occurs. A recent European study concluded that 80% of drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents believed that the other party could have done something to prevent the accident. A miniscule 5% admitted that they were the only one at fault. Surveys consistently reveal that the majority consider themselves more skillful and safer than the average driver. Some mistakes occur when a driver becomes distracted, perhaps by a cell phone call or a spilled cup of coffee. Most accidents are the result of excessive speed or aggressive driving. Very few accidents result from an 'Act of God,' like a tree falling on a vehicle. Poor Roadway Maintenance Roadway maintenance contributes to some motor vehicle accidents, but not to the extent that drivers use it as an excuse. Unfortunately, maintenance schedules and procedures vary greatly from city to city and state to state, so nationwide standards don't exist. Roadway Design Motorists may blame roadway design for accidents, but it's rarely the cause. Consultants such as the Texas Transportation Institute have spent years getting road barriers, utility poles, railroad crossings, and guardrails to their current high level of safety. Civil engineers, local governments, and law enforcement agencies all contribute to the design of safe road layouts and traffic management systems. State and federal governments provide general guidelines for their construction, with design flexibility to suit local conditions. Equipment Failure Manufacturers are required by law to design and engineer cars that meet a minimum safety standards. Computers, combined with companies' extensive research and development, have produced relatively safe vehicles that are easy to drive. The most cited types of equipment failure are loss of brakes, tire blowouts or tread separation, and steering/suspension failure. |