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This essay will explore the possible cause and effect of the accident in the road in the United
States that outlined below:
 Inattentive Driving: Always present through all gestures and actions of taking your eyes
off the road and taking your hands off the steering wheel.
 Climate: This increases the risk that the driver will lose full control of the vehicle and is
more likely to be involved in a collision, injury or death (Fagnat, Daniel and Kara,
p.173).
 Fatigue / Drowsiness: The driver's reflexes must be fully functional while driving. This is
not possible when you are tired or drowsy.
 Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI): Studies show that drivers often
use drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines to improve performance and simulate
traffic conditions.
 Reckless Driving: This is when you have a bad habit of not giving up, not stopping at a
stop sign, or using soaked headlights or other road safety signs.
 Road conditions: Problems such as road construction, power line drops, potholes, etc. are
the main causes of car accidents due to dangerous road conditions.
 Vehicle Defects: Manufacturer may recall vehicle due to dangerous goods or
mechanisms that could lead to an accident
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Essay
Driving is an activity that requires full attention since it exposes people to a large number
of factors that can lead to a traffic accident with fatal consequences. Driving in the United States
is not a privilege to be taken lightly. The laws are very specific in this regard and describe which
situations endanger the safety of drivers (Baldwin, Grant, Matt and David, p. 347). Some
agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), also warn about the most dangerous practices that lead to
unfortunate consequences.
Distracted driving: One of the most common causes of accidents is distracted driving, even for
the most responsible drivers. It is present at all times, through any gesture or action that takes the
eyes off the road or the hands off the wheel. Some drivers also practice it, inadvertently, by
manipulating car controls, eating while driving, or chatting with a passenger. Distracted driving
is also related to the use of smartphones, a practice that is illegal throughout the country because
it represents one of the most lethal for those who drive.
However, when it comes to car accidents caused by distracted driving, the margin for
error is very high. Distracted driving can take many forms and varies from person to person. One
of the most common types of distracted driving is texting or using a mobile phone while driving.
In the United States, distractions behind the wheel caused the deaths of more than 2000 people in
2018 alone (Fagnant, Daniel, and Kara, p. 173). At the same time, distracted driving is common
for all age groups. It is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents for the younger generations.
At the same time, distracted driving can take many forms that are not just related to texting.
Other activities that lead to distracted driving can be taking the eyes off the road, eating, reaching
into the back seat, and much more.
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Climate: It is a factor that cannot be controlled but that can be considered before driving.
Depending on the weather and its manifestations, visibility could be affected, as well as the
capabilities of the car. In this way, the driver runs a high risk of losing total control of the
vehicle, increasing the chances of being involved in a collision and being injured or causing
death (Fagnant, Daniel, and Kara, p. 173). Some experts consider that using the day's forecasts
could be one of the safest strategies in these cases.
Tiredness / Drowsiness: Driving requires the driver's reflexes to be fully operational,
and this is impossible when exhausted or drowsy. These two states can be really dangerous for
those who drive because they limit the possible quick reactions that may be necessary at any
time. In these cases, it is best to stop in a safe area and rest until one feels awake enough to
continue (Fagnant, Daniel, and Kara, p. 173).
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI): Like the previous one, driving
under the influence of any substance that limits reflexes can increase the chances of a traffic
accident. Both alcohol and drugs reduce the response of the senses to a minimum and can lead to
loss of consciousness (Thacker, Stephen, et al., p. 227). Like the use of the telephone, they are
driving under these conditions is punished by the authorities and is subject to the payment of
very high fines and even to the fulfillment of sentences in prison.
Reckless driving: It is present when the driver ignores the rules and speed limits. Also,
when one has a bad habit of not yielding, of not stopping at stop signs, or of not using the dipped
beams or other signs that contribute to road safety. Reckless drivers are usually aware of what
they are doing, so this type of practice is associated with a reckless way of acting. It is also a
practice that is associated with other problems such as road rage, which is evident in certain
angry attitudes that these individuals present (Thacker, Stephen, et al., p. 227). Reckless driving,
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distracted driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are criminal offenses in
the United States, and, many times, the authorities impose fines and penalties, but they also force
drivers to attend a traffic school or defensive driving course to improve your driving record.
Although the latter is a great option, not all people are eligible for such a benefit; everything will
depend on the severity of their actions.
State of the roads: Sometimes the roads themselves can be the problem when it comes
to traffic accidents. Potholes and other unsafe road hazards are known to lead to car accidents
and dangerous conditions. Issues like road construction, downed power lines, potholes, and many
more are the leading causes of car accidents due to dangerous road conditions.
Vehicle defects: Although not as common as the other causes on this list, vehicle defects
are still a major force to be reckoned with. The manufacturer could recall the vehicle due to
hazardous materials or mechanisms that can cause crashes. Or because of unsafe conditions if the
vehicle is in an accident. Vehicle defects can also be caused by poor maintenance of the vehicle
(Thacker, Stephen, et al., p. 227). When it comes to ensuring the safety of the vehicle on the
road, it is essential to carry out regular check-ups and overhauls of the car.
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Works Cited
Baldwin, Grant, Matt Breiding, and David Sleet. "Using the public health model to address
unintentional injuries and TBI: A perspective from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)." NeuroRehabilitation 39.3 (2016): 345-349.
Fagnant, Daniel J., and Kara Kockelman. "Preparing a nation for autonomous vehicles:
opportunities, barriers and policy recommendations." Transportation Research Part A:
Policy and Practice 77 (2015): 167-181.
Thacker, Stephen B., et al. "The evidence base for public health: informing policy at the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention." American Journal of preventive medicine 29.3
(2005): 227-e1.