The leading causes of unsafe driving include distractions, drowsiness, aggressive behavior, driving under the influence, and hazardous road conditions. Many actions while driving can be classified as high risk, with some increasing the chances of an accident. Given the dangers associated with these behaviors, the likelihood of serious injury also rises. Due to the risks posed by negligent driving, many high-risk actions are prohibited by law.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s unsafe driving, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Contact Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch, and Turcy, LLC at (312) 775-0042 after your accident.
Leading Causes of Unsafe Driving on the Road
Several factors can lead to unsafe driving causes on the road, including:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the primary cause of car accidents in Illinois and across the United States.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 2,800 individuals lost their lives in distracted driving accidents in 2019. Distracted driving happens when a driver engages in activities that divert their attention from the road. While many people are aware that texting while driving constitutes distracted driving, they may not realize that activities such as using a navigation system, eating, applying makeup, or having conversations with passengers also fall under this category.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that anything that diverts a driver’s focus from the task of driving can be considered a distraction. There are three primary types of distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distractions occur when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Manual distractions involve removing hands from the steering wheel. Finally, cognitive distractions arise when a driver’s mind drifts away from driving.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence poses a danger to both the driver and others on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that approximately 32 people die daily in the U.S. due to drunk driving—about one fatality every 45 minutes. In 2023, this issue remained significant on Illinois roads, as highlighted by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Fatal Crash Data Snapshot:
- DUI Fatalities: There were 377 fatal crashes linked to alcohol-impaired drivers in 2023, resulting in the loss of 399 lives.
- DUI Injuries: The data also shows that 1,632 people were injured in accidents involving drivers under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol affects cognitive functions and impairs the brain’s ability to operate effectively. It diminishes muscle coordination and impairs judgment. For safe driving, a driver must think clearly and have proper brain function. This includes the ability to reason and effectively coordinate muscular movements, which are essential for controlling a vehicle.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy or fatigued driving is a factor in car accidents in Illinois and across the U.S. When drivers don’t get enough sleep, their ability to drive safely diminishes. Fatigue is often linked to long hours of driving without breaks, irregular sleep patterns, and untreated sleep disorders. The risk is highest between midnight and 6 AM, when the body naturally craves sleep. Unlike impaired driving from alcohol or drugs, drowsy driving can go unnoticed until it’s too late, as fatigue can creep up on drivers. Studies show that missing sleep can impair driving similarly to driving under the influence, with staying awake for 18 hours equating to a BAC of 0.05% and 24 hours to 0.10%. Responsible driving includes keeping aware of one’s alertness and the movements of others on the road.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Hazardous road and weather conditions can result in numerous fatal accidents, which is why it’s essential for drivers to modify their behavior and exercise extra caution when driving in inclement weather, construction areas, or other risky situations.
Adverse weather affects driving conditions. For example, rain, snow, or ice can create slippery roads, diminishing tire traction. When traction is low or nonexistent, a vehicle may lose control, resulting in head-on collisions, passenger injuries, or side-impact crashes.
Additionally, fog can severely impair visibility. The thicker the fog, the higher the likelihood of getting involved in an accident. In such situations, it’s vital to keep a safe distance between vehicles to minimize the chances of accidents due to sudden stops or loss of control. Disregarding dangerous conditions or engaging in reckless behaviors, such as speeding or driving under the influence, is irresponsible. These actions can be deemed negligent and may result in the driver facing liability for any damages caused by an accident. If the crash leads to a fatality, this could also give rise to a wrongful death claim.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving involves operating a vehicle in a way that poses a risk to people or property. Any driving behavior that is unsafe and done intentionally or with little regard for safety can be classified as aggressive driving. Some examples include:
- Speeding in congested traffic
- Tailgating
- Cutting off other drivers and then slowing down or abruptly braking in front of someone following too closely
- Weaving through traffic
- Blocking vehicles that are trying to pass or change lanes
- Constantly honking the horn or flashing headlights, or using lights and brakes to “punish” other drivers
Aggressive driving is quite prevalent among drivers in the U.S. According to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2019, nearly 80% of drivers reported experiencing anger, aggression, or road rage while driving at least once in the previous month.
Common Unsafe Driving Behaviors
There are various behaviors that can be deemed unsafe when exhibited by a driver, leading to various types of car accident injuries. Some of these actions include:
Following Too Closely
Rear-end accidents occur frequently in Illinois. Many of these collisions result from tailgating, which refers to when the vehicle behind closely follows the one in front. When tailgating, a driver does not have time to react to the vehicle in front if it slows down or brakes suddenly, often resulting in a collision. Such behavior is deemed negligent. Under Illinois law, it is considered an offense for one vehicle to follow another more closely than what is deemed reasonable and safe.
Speeding
Driving too fast is a major factor in many car accidents. Numerous drivers fail to recognize the dangers of exceeding the posted speed limit. It’s important for drivers to understand that higher speeds lead to slower reaction times. In essence, speeding raises the likelihood of an accident occurring.
Aggressive and Unsafe Lane Changes
Some drivers try to beat traffic by weaving between lanes, which often involves rapid lane changes at higher speeds. This behavior increases the risk of accidents, such as cutting off other vehicles or rear-ending the car in front. Before passing another vehicle, drivers should ensure there’s enough space to move in front safely. Always use turn signals when changing lanes to inform other drivers, as failing to do so can lead to collisions.
Failure to Yield
In Illinois, car accidents due to failure to yield are quite common. These incidents can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities, especially at intersections where pedestrians may be involved. The law mandates that drivers must yield the right-of-way to prevent collisions. For instance, when two vehicles arrive at an intersection concurrently from different streets, the driver on the left must give way to the driver on the right.
Running Red Lights
Running red lights has recently resulted in a record number of fatalities. While some individuals disregard red lights due to distractions, others do so to expedite their passage through intersections. When a driver enters an intersection against the signal, it jeopardizes the safety of other road users both at and near the intersection. This action increases the risk of an accident, and the resulting collisions are often severe. One of the most prevalent types of accidents in this scenario is a T-bone collision, where the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. Other accidents following the illegal entry into the intersection include frontal collisions, where the fronts of both vehicles collide.
These incidents frequently occur at high speeds, as the driver who ran the red light is usually traveling quickly, leaving the other driver with little time to slow down or react to the unexpected vehicle.
An Attorney Can Help After a Car Accident in Illinois
If you’ve suffered damages after a car accident in Illinois caused by someone else’s actions, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages incurred. Naperville car accident attorneys are here to assist you in pursuing that compensation. A reckless driving lawyer can investigate the details of your accident, help you with the insurance claim process, communicate and negotiate with the insurance company or the other driver’s representatives for a fair settlement, guide you in avoiding common mistakes after a car accident, and file a lawsuit if needed. Contact us at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch, and Turcy, LLC to help you in seeking compensation following your car accident.
