Over speeding is one of the leading and also the deadliest cause of fatal car accidents in Atlanta and the rest of the nation. In fact, data collected in 2018 indicates that speeding took more than 9,000 lives nationwide in only that year. Speeding doesn’t only mean that a driver exceeded the posted speed limit, but it also implies that he or she drove too fast for the conditions of the road.

What makes overspeeding dangerously is it reduces the time a driver has to make quick and precise decisions on the road, reduces the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety and protective features, such as the steel frame, airbags, and seat belts, and increases the distance needed by the vehicle to come to a safe and complete stop.

A driver who is distracted while operating a vehicle poses a major risk to other road users. There are three main types of distractions. They include cognitive distractions, such as talking to another passenger or simply not paying attention.

Another example is visual distractions, which draw the eyes of the driver from the road, such as paying more attention to anything else other than the road itself.

Lastly, there are manual distractions. These cause the driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel by trying to reach for something.

Using hand-held personal communication devices, such as cellphones while driving is of major concern, as it causes all three types of distractions.

Other common causes of distractions for drivers include external distractions, such as rubbernecking past other accidents, staring at billboards or other road users, and internal distractions, such as talking to the passengers in the car, adjusting the stereo or vehicle controls, and eating or drinking.

Alcohol and drug impairment is among the most common causes of traffic accidents that result in more than 10,000 fatalities annually in the United States. In fact, statistics indicate that a person loses his or her life every 48 minutes in the country for driving while intoxicated.

This doesn’t affect the driver his or her friends and family, and other road users alone, but other parties too since alcohol-related car accidents cost the American taxpayers over $44 billion yearly.

Most of the skills a driver needs to safely operate his or her vehicle, such as the ability to concentrate, respond appropriately to emergency driving situations, steer and brake effectively, and track other vehicles, road users, and moving objects are compromised when he or she is intoxicated.

Driving when fatigued or drowsy impacts similar driving skills in a driver as driving when intoxicated. Though any driver can become drowsy while operating a vehicle, it is mostly those who drive for long distances and those who suffer from certain health conditions, such as sleep apnea are at a higher risk of drowsiness and falling asleep while driving.

Drivers who are confused and end up missing their turn are most likely to make poor judgment calls, such as ramp entering the way, turning the wrong way on a one-way road, or changing lanes without confirming that the lane other lane is clear.