Contribution Of Behavioural Factors To Road Accidents: Speeding, Drunk Driving And Fatigue

How do behavioural factors contribute to road accidents and what are the causes and effects of it?

Speeding

Speeding is one of the main things which contributes to road crashes. As vehicles at high speeds are harder to control than slower vehicles, driving at higher speeds raises the possibility of accidents due to the shorter reaction time the driver has to any unexpected road circumstances. The faster you drive the more likely you are to clash with other objects or hit pedestrians or people on the road. Age also plays a major role in this as teenagers are more likely to speed than adults as some teenagers speed to impress others or find it cool to speed.

Drunk Driving

Driving after consuming alcohol leads to many car accidents as drinking alcohol impairs the body’s capability to undertake and react to unexpected circumstances on roads. Alcohol affects the brain from functioning normally and slows down the concentration and coordination reflexes making it difficult to make correct judgements that are necessary for driving safely. Drivers between the age of 18-25 are most likely to be drunk driving as when they go clubbing or to parties they would usually drive home themselves even after being drunk.

Fatigue

When a driver is fatigued it is more likely for accidents to occur because the driver is deprived of sleep or exhausted It is usually more common for drivers to be in crashes at late night as they are up past their ordinary sleeping hours, drivers are four times more likely to have a fatal crash around this time. Also when you are tired your body finds it harder to make decisions and also reduces your attention and reflexes. People that are more likely to be in these types of accidents are adults between the age of 30 and 40 as they might be tired while coming back from work and have less energy compared to young adults.

Restraint Non Usage

People who drive without wearing seatbelts are at higher risks of getting injured or dying while being in a car accident as seat belts prevent the passenger and driver from getting ejected. Even though some people might think that not wearing seatbelts is totally safe as the airbag will save them from getting injured, airbags are not as effective as seatbelts are. Ages that usually prevent wearing seatbelts are ages between 18 and 25 as they are still growing adults and are not as mature as other adults and find it fun to try new things.