Road accidents are unfortunately prevalent in India, and the majority of these accidents are caused by human fault. It is imperative to be cautious, drive carefully and follow traffic rules. However, even if you are careful on the streets does not mean that the other drivers are too. There are several incidences when the drivers are not wrong, and it’s the pedestrian or the other vehicle that creates the havoc.
Listed down are the most common causes of road accidents in India –
- Over Speeding
- Drunken Driving
- Distractions to Driver
- Red Light Jumping
- Avoiding Safety Gears like Seat belts and Helmets
- Non-adherence to lane driving and overtaking in a wrong manner
Distracted Driving
One of the most common causes of road accident is distracted driving. The number of accidents occurring due to distracted driving has increased in the past decades. Undivided attention while driving is a must and drivers should inculcate the same within them. Reading messages, replying to texts, taking calls, reading, grooming, etc. behind the wheel can be fatal.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of any drug is one of the most dangerous causes of road crashes. If you have had a drink or anything, take a cab or give your keys to a sober friend who can drop you home. Driving in a drunken condition is not worth the risk.
Speeding/ Reckless Driving
It is quite tempting to push the accelerator and increase the speed when you are running late or are driving on an empty road. Speeding increases the intensity of accidents and is proved to be fatal most of the time. Hence, it is advisable to drive within the legal limits even when you are running late.
Reckless driving mostly leads to horrible accidents. Take your time and remain calm behind the wheels to avoid unwanted accidents caused by mere neglect.
Not Wearing Seat Belt
It is essential to wear a seat belt while driving. Not only it keeps your posture right, but also reduces the chances of injuries during a head-to-head collision. It also increases the likelihood of survival of the drivers without having to suffer any significant damage​.
Rain or Wet Roads
Wet roads are slippery, and hence they can be fatal for the vehicles as the wheels lose their traction on wet roads. While you can’t always avoid driving in the rain, the slippery streets should be best avoided whenever possible. Also, when the visibility is too low, you should pull over and wait until the rain subsides.
Potholes and Bad Road Condition
Poor road conditions are unavoidable and very frustrating for drivers. Be very cautious around potholes to avoid damaging your car. Smearing your vehicle to avoid the potholes can be dangerous.
Breaking Traffic Rules
If everyone follows the traffic rule, the roads will be a safer place to be. The rules are simple, yet few people tend to break them often. Red signal always means stop. Even if you see no other vehicles coming, running a red light and breaking the law might cause a severe accident. Understand that life is more important than all excuses combined, and it’s best to be safe than sorry.
Tailgating
No matter how frustratingly slows the cars in front of you must be going, there’s no excuse to get too close them. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles so that you have enough time to react to sudden turns. All these reasons sound very basic, but they are the significant reasons behind accidents on Indian roads. Accidents come with a whole set of drawbacks Having your vehicle insured can be a breeze of relief for you. Therefore, we recommend you to have a valid car insurance or two wheeler insurance policy for your four-wheelers and bikes respectively. In case your car insurance or two wheeler insurance policy has expired, renew it within minutes online.
