Causes of Traffic Accidents: Bad Driving Habits Contribute to Life-Threatening Distractions

Numerous different factors contribute to increased risks of traffic accidents and fatalities; however, the most important component is the irresponsibility of drivers. After all, the drivers’ fates are in their own hands, since, in most cases, the reasons behind one’s arrival at a “dead end” are hidden behind one’s hazardous driving habits.

It is important to recognize that unsafe driving habits contribute to distractions (Figure 1), since, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 65% of near crashes and 80% of all crashes occur due to distracted minds (Professional Safety, 2005). The first type of driver distraction is called “physical,” and it is the one most people are aware of (Professional Safety, 2013). The first element of this type is a simple human necessity – eating. Very often people would eat while driving on the highway, steering with only one hand and sharing their attention between the road and the food. This significantly increases the reaction time and impairs the ability to properly change lanes. Furthermore, when a spill occurs, the driver’s focus is rapidly shifted towards cleaning that expensive shirt, which is creating a risk of a vehicle crash and suggesting a simple alternative – spend 10 minutes eating before getting in the car.

 

 

Another important subpart of the physical factor is children. Screaming toddlers and children fighting in the back seat can distract the driver no matter how focused he/she is on the road. The best way to avoid this problem is to train children to be quiet and occupy their minds with pre-planned “in-car” activities (Sagberg et al., 2015).

Last but not least, the use of cell phones while driving contributes to a very high level of distraction. Unfortunately, the ability to easily communicate through the cellular network and many other technological innovations bring with them new reasons for distraction. Studies have shown that a driver talking on a cell phone has the same chance of crashing as a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, which is the legal limit in the United States (Sagberg et al., 2015). It is interesting that the majority of opponents of drunk driving use their cell phones while driving. Additionally, hands-free devices do not make driving any safer, since it is the conversation itself that is causing the distraction. Also, studies have shown that texting while driving increases the risk of a crash by 60 times, since, in this case, the driver’s focus is completely absorbed by the content of the message (Moser, 2011) (see Figure 2 below); therefore, texting and driving can never be justified.

 

The second type of driver distraction is called “mental.” Even though the initial stage of this type of distraction is “invisible” and can’t be identified with a naked eye, it doesn’t mean that mental distraction is trivial. Very often people start thinking about their personal issues and get lost in their thoughts, which leads to daydreaming. The first source of mental distraction is road rage – reckless driving is the way a lot of drivers react to unsafe actions of other drivers, which is putting both parties at risk (Moser, 2011). Emotion control is a crucial skill required to maintain safety in this case, since desire for revenge is never worth the risk of a crash. Unfortunately, reckless driving appears to be a part of the routine for some people (Figure 3), which means that it is hard to bring them under control, and only fines or tragic events can change their unsafe ways, since crashes for them is just a matter of time.

 

The next piece of the “mental” cloud is drunk driving. The reaction time of a healthy adult is about ¾ of a second; however, one drink doubles that amount, which emphasizes how dangerous it is to drive after drinking to the point of intoxication (Rivara et al., 2007). Every single year about 18,000 people die because of drunk driving in the United States (Moser, 2011). NHTSA states that 3 of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lives (17). Moreover, the recidivism rate is 33%, which is so high that it makes drunk driving a habit for a lot of drivers (Rivara et al., 2007). That group of people believes in the existence of “experienced” drinkers, thinking that the effect of alcohol on those drinkers is reduced due to “immunity.” The best way to prevent alcohol-related crashes from occurring is to check potential drivers for previous DUI or DWI convictions and grant driving privileges based on the results of screening, since prior convictions act as an important factor given the recidivism rate.

Loss of concentration when rushing or any aggressive behavior can lead to red-light violations. This type of violation is extremely dangerous, since the majority of intersection crashes happen at 45-degree angles, and if the door is hit where a person is seated, then the body absorbs a direct transfer of energy even with advanced airbags (Professional Safety, 2005). In order to avoid “pushing” red signals all the time, drivers should be constantly scanning the intersection areas they are approaching to figure out how much time they have before the light turns red.

Most of the drivers set allowed speed limits within their minds based on where they are driving in order to drive within that limit. Nevertheless, there are drivers without this feeling of limit, which leads to a habit of speeding. Whether the driver is always running late or simply feels comfortable speeding, every additional 10 miles per hour to the speed double the forces of impact in case of a collision (Professional Safety, 2013). An increase in speed decreases and can even eliminate the driver’s ability to react and avoid an accident. In order to prevent drivers from speeding, it is critical to check motor vehicle records and take appropriate actions if aggressive driving pattern is detected. Actions can include different sanctions or training.

Fatigue appears to be the next unit among “mental distractors.” In the modern world people tend to not leave enough time in their schedules for sleeping and resting. Slapping the face and turning up the music help the driver for only a short period of time if they do. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), about 1.9 million drivers have fatigue-related accidents every year (Radun, 2006). 54% of the drivers surveyed by NSF have driven while fatigued in 2011 (Radun, 2006). The best way to avoid fatigue-related accidents is to not drive without enough sleep and plan in advance to rest before the drive. For long trips, it is important to stop and rest every two hours, even if the driver had enough sleep, since stretching, washing the face, and even drinking a beverage can energize and refresh the driver.

People have habits related to every single activity in their lives, and driving is not an exception. The way we drive affects us and other people, so we should be constantly working on removing bad habits through the process of four Rs: recognition, replacement, repetition, and retention. We have to recognize that we have bad habits, replace them with good ones, and then keep on going through the process until only the good habits are retained. We have to constantly fight the distractions while driving, and the methods can be as unusual as verbalizing what we observe while driving to stay focused on the road. Our choices matter, and we have to remember that not a lot of things can change our lives as fast as a car accident.

 

Works Cited (MLA Format)

Moser, Philip. “Managing Unsafe Drivers & Their Unsafe Habits.” Best Practices 56.5 (2011): 16-18.

Professional Safety. “Cintas Lists the Seven Most Hazardous Driving Habits.” Professional Safety 58.4 (2013): 30.

Professional Safety. “Drivers Urged to Follow Safe Driving Tips in Highway Work Zones.” Professional Safety 50.6 (2005): 64.

Radun, Igor, and Jenni Radun. “Seasonal Variation of Falling Asleep While Driving: An Examination of Fatal Road Accidents.” Chronobiology International: The Journal of Biological & Medical Rhythm Research 23.5 (2006): 1053-1064.

Rivara, Frederick, Annemarie Relyea-Chew, Wang Jin, Suzefte Riley, Deanne Boisvert, and Tony Gomez. “Drinking Behaviors in Young Adults: The Potential Role of Designated Driver and Safe Ride Home Programs.” Injury Prevention 13.3 (2007): 168-172.

Sagberg, Fridulv, Francesco Bianchi Piccinini, and Johan Engström. “A Review of Research on Driving Styles and Road Safety.” Driving Styles and Road Safety 57.7 (2015): 1248-1275.