Top 12 Causes for Car Accidents in Arizona
Each year, there are roughly 130,000 car accidents in Arizona , resulting in close to 40,000 injuries. This amounts to 110 people injured every single day. Despite strict traffic laws and public education, the number of car vehicle accidentshas not declined. Car accidents in Arizona are not benign events and often lead to serious bodily injuries, property damage, and emotional scars. Worse, the people who are injured often face astronomical medical bills and a long road to recovery. In the majority of motor vehicle mishaps, the cause is human error. Even if you are a safe and diligent driver, you have no control over how others drive on the road. Below is a list of the common causes of car accidents in the State of Arizona.
1. Distracted driving
Distracted divingis now the number one cause of vehicle accidents on Arizona roads and highways. Drivers may be distracted due to eating while driving, speaking to other passengers, looking for something in the car, personal grooming, reading, and, most importantly, texting. The use of the smartphone is often cited as the number one cause of distracted driving in Arizona.
2. Drunk driving
Drunk Drivingis one of the deadliest causes of car accidents in Arizona. Despite heavy penalties, people still drive drunk. Alcohol is known to impair judgment, reduce the ability to focus, and more importantly, slows down reaction times. Accidents involving drunk drivers often lead to severe injuries and death.
3. Speeding
Speedingcontinues to be a major cause of car accidents in Arizona. On any given day, countless drivers speed both on urban and rural roads. Even though fines for speeding have increased, many drivers simply ignore the speed limits to their own detriment and the safety of others.
4. Reckless driving
Reckless driving,especially among younger drivers, is also fast becoming a common cause of accidents. Driving aggressively often leads to accidents that are associated with serious bodily injuries. To make matters worse, reckless driving often occurs in local communities and inner cities where there is heavy traffic which increases the risk of collisions.
5. Weather
Even though Arizona is dry, sometimes heavy rains occur during late summer and the fall which can cause treacherous and slippery road conditions. The heavy rains can also impair visibility, as can dust storms that can blow through Arizona. The best advice is to pull over until the weather improves.
6. Violating traffic laws
A common cause of accidents is not obeying traffic signs. Running red lights, making unsafe left turns, or illegal turns are common causes of accidents in Arizona. Often these drivers are speeding, which also increases the seriousness of car accidents, as mentioned previously.
7. Poorly maintained vehicles
Poorly maintained vehicles is another in the list of causes of car accidents. Driving vehicles that have not been well maintained, have brake or suspension problems, bald ties, non-functioning lights, etc., can also lead to accidents. Almost daily, law enforcement officers have to tow non-roadworthy cars because they are a danger to the public.
8. Tailgating
Tailgatingis a common site on Arizona highways, but it is a very dangerous habit. If the driver in front has to brake suddenly or deal with an emergency, there is little time for the tailgater to move out of harm's way. The resulting accidents can be very serious, resulting in severe property damage and bodily injuries. The tragic thing is that some drivers tailgate at high speeds behind larger vehicles, such as trucks, and the resulting collisions frequently result in death.
9. Teenage drivers
Teenage drivers are high-risk drivers. Many of these young drivers do not have the experience, know what to do in unsafe conditions, or fail to anticipate the actions of other people on the road. The best way to reduce the risk of accidents among teenagers is to have them take a defensive driving course. At the same time, teenagers should not be allowed to drive with a smartphone and only be given permission to carry no more than one or two passengers.
10. Drug use
Like alcohol, there are many drugs (both illicit and prescription) that can impair the ability to drive. Many of these drugs cause sedation, lethargy, and confusion, which can increase the risk of an accident. If you are on any prescription medications, speak to your doctor to see if you are at higher risk of being impaired when driving. Finally, never combine alcohol with illicit drugs as the risk of accidents is exponentially increased.
11. Animals
Arizona is rich in wildlife but often these animals can suddenly wander onto the highways and cause accidents. Even a small raccoon can cause serious damage to a car. In many cases, the accident occurs because the driver swerves to avoid hitting the animal; this action can cause the car to run down a hillside, collide with another car, or slide into the other side of the road.
12. Road construction
A significant number of car accidents occur at road construction sites despite the signage warning drivers ahead of time. Drivers need to slow down in areas of road construction to avoid hitting workers and also heavy equipment.
Conclusion
Driving is a privilege, and one should enjoy it and not take it for granted. Laws are in place for safety reasons. If you want to arrive at your destination safely, be a safe driver, wear your seat belt, and never drive drunk. By being proactive and avoiding all distractions, you can significantly lower the risk of a car accident. If you have been involved in a car accident in Arizona, contact Richard Gullette law to learn more about Arizona laws.
