Whilst not all car accidents are avoidable, many are. Previously, the majority of car accidents on Australian roads could be attributed to what we call the ‘fatal four’. In recent times, another risky driving behaviour was added to this list known as distracted driving, making it the ‘fatal five’.

Covid-19 has changed the driving behaviour of many Australians. Yes, the pandemic has brought on less commuting to work, but there has also been a surge in the use of personal cars due to ride-sharing being a COVID concern. That means that more cars have actually been on the road, leading to an increase in road accidents. Most of the time, these are also due to human errors rather than mechanical. That’s why it’s more important than ever to practice safe driving and to be aware of the common causes of car accidents so you can avoid making them!

1. Speeding

The most common cause of car accidents in Australia, is due to the desire of drivers to get from point A to B as quickly as possible, usually without regard for safety. The abrupt change in speed between vehicles often results in a collision. However, people often underestimate the dangers of exceeding even lower-range speeds. Even when driving at 60km/h, it takes a family car approximately 20 meters to come to a full stop, causing potential serious harm in the case of a collision. It’s also important to remember that roads are also shared with cyclists and pedestrians alike, and a collision taking place even as low as 30 km/h can be fatal in this case.

2. Drink Driving

Driving under the influence can be deadly due to drivers losing their judgment or even drifting off to sleep at the wheel. Whether you’re over the limit or not, being inebriated can lead to you falling asleep at the wheel, driving too fast, swerving across lanes of traffic or even running a red light. Even though alcohol affects different people in different ways, it is still a dangerous factor in car accidents because it prevents you from making logical decisions and could cause you to lose your inhibitions.

3. Fatigue

Drivers who are tired are also more likely to make mistakes. This is often due to fatigue, which can be caused by a lack of sleep or other stress factors such as work or family commitments. It can even result in you falling asleep at the wheel, driving erratically and doing the most dangerous things on the road.

4. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can be deadly as it makes a person forget about the road conditions and their surrounding environment, putting themselves in danger of being involved in a collision. A recent study found that a staggering 90% of young drivers said they’ve been distracted while driving. Distracted driving is typically caused by adjusting music or phone usage in the car, even when you’re at a red light. Inattention on the road can also be caused by multitasking on their phones, eating or even texting while driving. The Queensland Government has recently rolled out more cameras across the state to detect people using mobile phones illegally while driving, with fines as high as $1000.

5. Not Wearing Seatbelts

Wearing your seatbelt is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself in a car accident. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a passenger or the driver, wearing a seatbelt is still crucial for your safety. Not only will it provide protection against potentially serious injuries, but it also saves lives as well. According to studies, wearing your seatbelt reduces your chance of dying in a crash by 50%. Although it may seem like a simple task, many people choose not to wear them.

These are just some common causes of car accidents that you should be aware of. In order to better your chances for safe driving on the road, you must also temper your emotions behind the wheel.