In Idaho, which has a population of about 1.7 million people, 60,000 car crashes happen each year, resulting in at least 2,500 fatalities and 90,000 injuries. In order to prevent the devastating consequences that come from car accident injuries, it is important to understand the top seven factors that lead to car accidents in Idaho.
Several factors contribute to car accidents in Idaho. From data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is found that speeding and alcohol consumption are the two most common factors. Other factors include distracted driving, driver fatigue, road conditions, and reckless driving. In order to reduce the number of car accidents in Idaho, there should be a focus on these seven factors. After all, it is strongly recommended to consult with an idaho car accident attorney soon after you are involved in an accident to get the deserving compensation.
Let us now explore the most common factors that lead to car accidents in Idaho.
- Distracted driving
The amount of car accidents due to distracted driving in Idaho has increased significantly over the past few years. Driving and texting is an especially dangerous practice because it can lead to a loss of focus on the road and your surroundings and result in severe accidents.
- Driving under influence
It is not uncommon for drivers to get into car accidents that are caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. More than 10% of all car crashes involve a driver who was drinking, and more than 20% of all fatal crashes involve a driver with some traces of alcohol in their system. Driving under the influence puts drivers at an increased risk for injury or death.
- Speeding
There are many reasons why people engage in speeding. However, one of the most common reasons is to catch up with traffic that is in front of them. Other excuses for speeding include fear of being late or worry about running out of fuel. However, despite the driver’s intent, reckless driving puts everyone on the road at risk of injury or death.
- Weather conditions
Car accidents during the winter season are on the rise due to adverse weather conditions. Actually, the unexpected change of weather can make it dangerous for drivers to see their surroundings or react to other drivers on the roadways. So, you better ditch your travel plans at the onset of extreme weather conditions.
- Defective vehicle
On any given day in the United States, you can find a car accident on a busy roadway. Most of these accidents are due to simple mistakes that happen when driving. However, some accidents are caused by defective parts or even faulty engineering that leads to a large number of injuries and fatalities.
