Understand The Dangers Of The Road And Drive Safer

No one gets behind the wheel expecting to have an accident, yet thousands happen every single day; with the most recent government data reporting a massive 133000 collisions in the UK in 2023 alone.

Some are minor scrapes; others are life-changing.

The truth is, most accidents aren’t just "bad luck"; they’re preventable. Understanding the most common causes of collisions can help you become a safer, more aware driver. In this article, we’re breaking down the most common causes of accidents and help you figure out how to avoid them. First, though, let’s answer some of the most common questions related to car accidents.

Can I Check The Accident History Of A Car Before I Buy It?

Whilst there are a lot of ‘paid for’ vehicle checking services out there, you can get the basic history of any potential car using the DVLA online check. Their service provides a wide range of information including MOT and SORN status.

To use it, you’ll need the registration number.

Will A Car Accident Affect My Insurance Premiums?

In almost all cases a car accident will cause your insurance premiums to rise, as companies see anyone involved in an accident a ‘higher risk’, regardless of fault.

If you’re not at fault, you’ll still have to declare the accident when getting insurance quotes and the increase in premiums shouldn’t be too noticeable. However, there are more costly implications if you’re involved in a car accident:

• You’re at fault: Insurance companies will deem you a higher-risk driver if you have caused an accident, meaning your renewal prices will be considerably higher.
• You lose your no-claims bonus: If you’re hit by an uninsured driver you could lose your no-claims bonus, resulting in increased premiums when you renew.

Common Causes Of Accidents (And How To Avoid Them)

Distracted Driving

Thanks to smartphones and digital dashboards, modern driving comes with a plethora of distractions. Checking your phone, fiddling with the radio, finding the perfect playlist or even eating, drinking and talking are all enough to distract you, just enough, to increase your chances of an accident.

Before starting your journey switch your phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode, set your Sat Nav and audio and focus on the journey ahead. Whilst driving, keep eating and drinking to a minimum, if it feels like you’re hands are too compromised, you’re probably driving unsafely.

Did you know? Even looking away for just two seconds at 30mph means you travel around 90 feet effectively blind.

Speeding

We’ve all been there; running late and pushing the speed limit. But the faster you go, the less time you have to react, and the greater the impact if something goes wrong. Speed is a factor in around a third of fatal crashes.

Here’s how you can reduce your chances of speeding (and causing an accident):

• Stick to speed limits: Be aware of your surroundings and stick to the limits, they’re in place for a reason.
• Leave earlier: Cutting it fine on your arrival time is a sure-fire way to speeding. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination and you’ll be able to drive a little more responsibly.
• Use cruise control (if it’s safe to do so): Although it can use a little extra fuel, cruise control is a good way to maintain a safe speed, especially if you’re prone to creeping over the limit in the fast lane.
• Don’t drive in a bad mood: Driving when angry, stressed or under pressure can all cause speeding, take five minutes to calm yourself down before you set off.

Tailgating

Some drivers treat the two-second rule as optional. Following too closely means you have zero chance of stopping in time if the car in front brakes suddenly.

When driving, stay at least two seconds behind the car in front, or more in bad weather. The easiest way to do this is to pick markers, such as lampposts or road markings to ‘time’ two seconds after the car in front has passed them. Doing this should give you enough time to perform an emergency stop.

If someone is tailgating you; don’t speed up. Move into another lane if safe and possible to do so, or gradually create some space ahead of your own vehicle so you’re not forced to break suddenly.

Top Tip: A good rule of thumb? If you can’t see the bottom of the tyres of the car ahead, you’re too close.

Failing to Check Blind Spots

Mirrors are helpful, but they don’t show everything. Cyclists, motorbikes, and even entire cars can sit in blind spots, leading to side-swipes and dangerous lane changes.

Adjust your mirrors correctly (with side mirrors showing more of the road than your car), always check over your shoulder before changing lanes or turning and use extra vigilance at roundabouts and junctions.

Some modern cars have extra safety features to help with blind spots such as Volvo’s ‘BLIS’ (Blind Spot Information System) which provides visual and audio cues when another vehicle (or bike, for instance) is in your blind spot. Whilst these are an excellent addition to safer driving, you shouldn’t rely on them and instead maintain safe driving standards yourself at all times; they should only be used as a fail-safe.

Volvo BLIS system: lights indicate vehicles in blind spots. (Source: Volvo US)

Running Red Lights

It’s tempting to speed up when the light turns amber, but it’s a risk not worth taking. Even a small misjudgment can result in a devastating crash; with one in three crashes at junctions involving someone running a red light.

When a traffic light turns amber and you can stop safely; stop. It’s also worth being mindful at junctions too; just because your light is green, doesn’t mean other drivers won’t jump theirs, so be sure to check all directions before setting off.

Poor Weather Conditions

In wet conditions, your car will take approximately twice as long to stop as it does on dry roads, with other poor conditions such as fog, mist and heavy winds all adding to the challenge and increasing the risk of an accident.

If you have to drive in poor weather conditions you can drive more safely by slowing down, increasing your following distance of other cars (to at least four seconds in rain) and using dipped headlights in fog; not full beam, which can reflect back on you.

It goes without saying that in heavier weather conditions such as ice and snow, you should only make a journey if absolutely necessary. It’s much safer to avoid all non-essential travel and keep safe and cosy at home.

Read More: Prepping your car for winter will give you added peace of mind, check out our Top Tips For Vehicle Maintenance In Winter.

Fatigued Driving

Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. It slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and has been linked to between 10-20% of UK road accidents every year. Remember the popular phrase: ‘Tiredness kills’.

Here’s some simple tips for avoiding a car accident through fatigue:

• Take a break: On long journeys take a break every two hours, even if it’s for a quick refresh.
• Nap: At the first sign of tiredness, pull over wherever it’s safe to do so (not the hard shoulder of the motorway!) and take a short nap.
• Keep caffeinated: Coffee can be a quick fix for staying alert, but not a safe option if you’re already feeling drowsy or falling asleep.
• Avoid late-night driving: Don’t drive during hours you’d usually sleep if you can avoid it.

Top Tip: If you catch yourself zoning out or struggling to remember the last few miles, you need a break.

Drink Driving

It shouldn’t need saying, but driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents. Even "just one drink" can affect your ability to react quickly.

Always plan your night out with a designated driver, public transport or taxi if you intend to have a drink and be aware that alcohol can still be in your system the next morning. Many drivers are surprised they’re over the limit the next day.

The legal drink-drive limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, but even below this, you can still be prosecuted if unfit to drive. In Scotland, it’s even lower at 50mg per 100ml.

Our advice is not to risk even one drink, if you’re having just one pint, leave the car at home.

Drink Driving Accounted For 18% Of All Road Deaths In 2022

Road Rage

Everyone encounters bad drivers, but letting frustration get the better of you only increases the risk of accidents. Aggressive driving such as tailgating, sudden braking, and reckless overtaking endangers everyone on the road.

If someone cuts you off, take a deep breath and let it go. Don’t engage with aggressive drivers; avoid eye contact and never retaliate. Remember, a moment of anger could cause a serious accident; even worse, you could end up in trouble with the police.

Finally, if you ever feel overwhelmed, or anger is building, pull over and take a break.

Failing to Maintain Your Car

Even the best drivers can’t compensate for bald tyres, worn brakes, or faulty lights. A poorly maintained vehicle is an accident waiting to happen, that’s why cars have an MOT, to ensure road safety and reduce collisions.

Keeping your car in good working order not only protects you and other drivers, it is also a legal requirement, so keeping on top of car maintenance is a no-brainer.

Follow these maintenance steps to reduce the risk of accident (and keep on the right side of the law!):

• Keep on top of tyres: Check the pressure and depth regularly to ensure they’re within the minimum UK legal requirements and get the most out of your tyres. Consider additional Tyre Insurance, which can help maintain tyres and minimise your financial outlay too.
• Check the brakes: Ensure brakes feel firm and responsive; if in doubt, get them checked. Keep your ear out for ‘screeching’ which indicates brake pad wear, a sign that they need changing asap.
• Keep on top of MOTs: Make sure your car has an MOT every year to maintain road safety and ensure it’s legal. If budget permits, a service gives extra peace of mind too.

For official guidance on vehicle safety checks, visit GOV.UK.

Read More: Common Car Maintenance Tips (That You Need To Avoid)

Our Final Word

They say ‘accidents happen’ but not on their own, they’re usually the result of bad habits, poor decisions or preventable mistakes. By following our guide; staying alert, following the rules and giving yourself plenty of time and space you can significantly reduce your risk on the road.

Driving smarter and safer helps prevent car accidents, reducing your risk of injury and costly insurance claims. Remember, if you’re involved in a collision where your car is declared a total loss (or write-off), you could be financially liable; if your insurance payout is lower than the amount you still owe on your car; consider Gap Insurance to minimise your financial risk.

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