The renowned Forbes magazine has published the list of the 10 most dangerous mistakes frequently made by drivers. The experts used a significant number of statistical data collected from countries around the world. The trick is that at the first sight many of these mistakes don’t even seem that terrible. However, not respecting elementary safety rules may lead to very severe traffic accidents.
1. Driving the car intoxicated
Probably this is a leading problem for every country in the world. Every year in the USA 40,000 persons die in car accidents. In 40% of these cases those persons are the culprit who drive intoxicated. Most of the time such persons are fairly young, between 16 and 24. In the US an accident involving a drunken driver happens every two minutes.
2. Writing text messages while driving
Numbers speak for themselves. Every year, there are 4,000 to 8,000 traffic accidents in the USA caused by inattentive drivers. One of the main causes of inattention is writing messages.
3. Tenseness and anger
According to statistics, at least 1.5 thousand persons died or were severely injured because of fights that broke out in traffic, and because of aggressive drivers.
4. Refusing to use child seats
In the US four children die between two and four years of age and 500 are injured every single day because the parents refuse to install child seats or to fasten their children’s seatbelts.
5. Driving over the speed limit
Excessive speed, especially during unfavorable weather circumstances and reduced visibility, make up 13% of the total amount of accidents and 33% of all accidents that result in death. Drivers should take into consideration all factors when they decide on how fast they drive. Unfortunately, driving at excessive speeds is typical to many countries.
6. Ignoring weather conditions
Fog, rain and twilight may all cause accidents. Also, changing summer tires very late in the year may be a major cause of accidents.
7. Not buckling up
Make sure you fasten your seatbelt at all times, and every passenger in the car does the same. According to the statistics, not wearing a seatbelt killed over 211,000 people in the US in 30 years.
8. Driving with expired contact lenses
Expired contact lenses can alter vision, especially in the evening and at night.
9. Driving when tired
Tired drivers also represent a source of danger. Tiredness alters capacity for concentration. Plan your travel carefully, especially if it is long distance. Don’t forget to take breaks, and if you feel tired, pull aside and rest for a few minutes. You would rather want to lose some time resting than not putting your own life and the lives of others in danger.
10. Not respecting traffic rules and failing to do proper car maintenance
Traffic rules haven’t been set just for the sake of being set, but are based on real events that have caused severe injuries or death. Respecting traffic rules and doing regular car maintenance can help avoid the major part of traffic accidents.