The Top 4 Reasons Car Accidents Are on the Rise in Missouri

What may come as a surprise is that while accidents are on the rise, the reasons for car accident generally remain the same.

Statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol show that in 2016, 940 individuals were killed in car accidents. By the second quarter of 2017, there were already 323 cases, and ever since, the numbers are consistently on the rise.

What comes as a surprise, though, is that every year, the reasons for car accidents generally remain the same.

Top 4 Reasons Car Accident Are on the Rise

It is in the common interest of every citizen that the numbers come down and that can happen only with a focussed and concentrated effort by every driver on the road. Being involved in a car accident can lead to several consequences like permanent injuries, loss of earnings, etc. Isn’t it therefore a better decision to drive carefully and avoid accidents in the first place?

Here are the top 4 reasons car accidents are on the rise and what you can do to drive safely.

1. Driving Under the Influence – in 2014 alone, 5,976 car crashes in Missouri were attributed to alcohol. While there has been a continued emphasis on the negative effect of driving while intoxicated, it appears to have fallen on deaf ears going by the increase in drunk driving accidents.
   
2. Young, Inexperienced Drivers – 32,763 traffic accidents were logged in 2014, involving young drivers between the ages of 19 – 25. Inexperienced drivers are more prone to road accidents as they are easily distracted and are often inattentive on the roads.
   
   Full of energy, younger drivers tend to challenge road and traffic laws and become not only reckless drivers but a nuisance and danger to others. The involvement of parents and older adults’ in setting a good example of what is safe and responsible driving can make a difference in how young ones drive on the road. 

3. Speeding – many drivers choose not to follow or adhere to posted speed limits and road signs and go 10, 20, and even 30mph over the speed limit. You’ll see a lot of them on the highways.
   
   It is a known and proven fact that speed kills. Driving faster than needed without giving attention to road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic flow is asking for trouble. The faster you drive, the slower your reaction time to prevent an accident.
   
4. Failure to Follow Road Rules – cutting in and out of traffic, failure to signal on time, failure to turn on headlights and taillights, running red lights and stop signs, tailgating, etc. are some of the other reasons for an increase in car accidents. 

Driving is a risk in itself, but with responsible driving, car accidents, and road-related fatalities can be reduced.

Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer in St. Louis, MO

If you have been involved in a car accident in St. Louis, get in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to ensure your legal rights are protected.

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