Causes of Car Accidents in Gulfport

What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents?

Traffic collisions are an all-too-common tragedy despite recent advances in technology and safety measures. Some of the most common causes are:

Speeding and Distracted Driving

Excessive speed increases the risk of a car accident as well as its severity. Distracted driving involves activities that divert the driver’s attention away from the road, such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination, which are essential for safe driving. Drunk driving accidents accounted for nearly 13,400 traffic deaths in a single recent year — about a third of all such fatalities.

Reckless Driving

Aggressive driving behaviors significantly increase the risk of accidents. These include changing lanes rapidly, tailgating, and disregarding traffic signs.

Running Red Lights and Stop Signs

Disobeying traffic signs or signals is a dangerous practice that often results in dangerous intersection accidents like T-bone collisions.

Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving is comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol, as it similarly increases crash risk by impairing reaction time, awareness, and judgment.

Driver Inexperience

Novice drivers are more likely to make mistakes due to a lack of driving experience, which can lead to preventable traffic accidents.

Vehicle Defects

Sometimes accidents are caused by defects in the car itself, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering or suspension failures.

Poor Road Conditions

Potholes, lack of proper signage, and similar road issues often contribute to car accidents, especially if they are not marked clearly or drivers are not paying attention.