August 23, 2022
10 Top Causes of Car Accidents in Ontario and Safety Driving Tips
The Ontario Provincial Police responded to 60,544 road collisions and 315 fatalities in 2021. It can be extremely painful for an individual and their family to suffer an unexpected, significant injury or death due to an automobile accident. Families are frequently unprepared emotionally and have little prior experience to face the traumatic effects of road accidents.
Car accidents are avoidable mishaps. Cautious driving can help guarantee your and your family’s safety as well as keep your premium at a minimum. Here are some of the most common car accidents and some tips to prevent them:
What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in Ontario?
1. Distracted Driving
The most common cause of Ontario highway fatalities, having surpassed drunk driving, is now distracted driving. The most prevalent kind of distracted driving is using a smartphone while behind the wheel. Every year, driving while using a mobile device results in approximately 1.6 million accidents. Other forms of distraction include eating, drinking, configuring a navigation system, scrolling through Google Maps on your device, combing your hair, and more. Too many drivers in Ontario mistakenly believe they can operate an automobile while simultaneously multitasking on their phones. This, however, results in an excessive number of car accidents in the province.
2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Despite seeing improvements in figures over the past several decades, driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs continues to be one of the leading causes of major auto accidents. Drugs like cannabis or alcohol will undoubtedly impair your coordination and reaction time when operating a motor vehicle, and they continue to be deadly on the road.
3. Vehicle Maintenance Issue
The owner must keep their automobile in good working order. For a car to be considered roadworthy and safe to use on the streets, drivers must maintain it regularly. Both the driver and the car’s owner may be held accountable if it turns out that worn tires, poor brakes, and some other technical issue that could have been fixed sooner contributed to the crash.
4. Running the Red Light
Cars running stop signs are a common cause of rollover and side-impact collisions. Drivers who ignore stop signs or run red lights are at blame for many, if not the majority of serious auto accidents. These frequently result in side-impact collisions and can undoubtedly result in severe, life-threatening injuries, particularly if the driver or a passenger is struck at a high speed.
5. Speeding
There has been a persistent correlation between car accidents in Ontario and speed-related activity, like illegal street racing and the accompanying stunt driving that goes along with it. Numerous studies conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation over the years have shown that speed is frequently a deciding and crucial element in many fatal collisions on congested urban highways. The danger of a collision and the likelihood of death doubles as the speed of the vehicle increases as well. Long-standing Ontario legislation makes it clear that violators face severe fines for exceeding the stated speed limit by more than 50 km/h.
6. Side-impact or T-Bone Accidents
Accidents also regularly happen at intersections. T-bone collisions typically occur when a negligent driver fails to see traffic signals switching from green to yellow to red or fails to see cars stopping before turning. Many cases also involve drivers losing control along a tight curve. The incident frequently results in cracks and severely injured victims.
7. Medical Condition
Drivers who struggle with health issues including anxiety, schizophrenia, and impaired vision, can be a factor in many auto accidents. A motorist can be held accountable for an accident if they are needed to take a prescription but don’t, take it at the incorrect time, take too much, of the wrong drug, or don’t wear their prescribed glasses.
8. Fatigue
This is a significant issue for truck drivers who cause auto accidents. According to estimates from the government, drowsy drivers are to blame for about 20% of fatal collisions. Long-haul truckers may try to stretch their tolerance and boundaries by trying to stay awake, often at the expense of harming other drivers. Driving when fatigued affects one’s judgment and response time. Pull over if you experience signs of fatigue, such as blurred vision, headache, and heavy eyes, to lower your risk of a collision.
9. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving practices that have reportedly contributed to fatal accidents in Ontario include speeding, tailgating unnecessarily, weaving through traffic, and failing to give way to oncoming vehicles. Even worse, these “road ragers” are the ones who frequently cause avoidable automobile accidents by furiously tailgating other drivers or driving past them before pulling up in front and braking.
10. Weather
When it rains, roads become slippery and hazardous, which often results in car accidents. For cities with cold climates, the water can quickly turn into ice which exacerbates the already difficult driving conditions. Although fog is a rare weather condition, it still makes it very challenging for drivers to see vehicles or pedestrians in front.
Safety Driving Tips
- Drive Defensively
Drive defensively and pay attention to what other cars are doing around you. This is most likely the most crucial guideline to follow. You can prevent careless drivers from changing lanes, running red lights, and disregarding traffic regulations. Even while not every accident can be prevented, defensive driving can help you stay safer in a congested roadway.
- Follow the Speed Limit
One of the main factors that cause accidents is speeding. High speeds increase the size and hazard of traffic accidents. While you cannot prevent everyone from speeding, you may prevent accidents and make yourself safer by consistently adhering to the speed limit.
- Avoid Distractions
Accidents can occur when someone is driving while distracted. Don’t drive while texting. When driving, refrain from doing activities like eating, talking on the phone, or adjusting the radio station. If you must perform these tasks, stop first in a safe place.
- Stay Sober
It is highly dangerous to drive when intoxicated. If you plan to drink, avoid operating a vehicle. If you’ve had a drink, request transport home from a friend or a taxi.
- Maintain Car Regularly
Well-maintained vehicles are less likely to cause problems and collisions. Make sure you have adequate gas before you start your car and hit the road. Keep an eye out for your car’s worn-out components. It’s crucial for safe driving that your vehicle is in a good condition. To ensure they are all operating correctly, routinely check your tires, brakes, and signals.
If you or a loved one sustained lasting injuries in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, Michelle Linka Law is ready to help you find the best way forward. We will answer your questions and inform you of your legal options. If you need a car accident lawyer in Whitby to represent you, don’t hesitate to call us at (416) 477-7288.
