| According to the World Health Organisation, | | | | Other common accidents aren't so easily avoided |
| around 25 million people have lost their lives in | | | | as they are caused by drivers, who are out of |
| road traffic-related accidents since the first ever | | | | our control. The top reasons road traffic accidents |
| related death in 1896. Of course, that's just a | | | | occur include distracted driving, when drivers are |
| figure pertaining to the number of people who die | | | | too busy concentrating on their mobile phones or |
| - the number of people who are injured in similar | | | | changing the radio to watch the road; aggressive |
| events is equally enormous. | | | | driving, where drivers let their emotions get on |
| While many of us thankfully will never experience | | | | top of them and drive irresponsibly just to |
| the pain and anguish that can come as a result of | | | | express their frustration; speeding; drunk driving - |
| such accidents, there are plenty of people who do | | | | unfortunately, one of the most common killers on |
| - so it's a good idea to learn the common causes | | | | the road in the UK - and driver fatigue, where the |
| of road traffic accidents so you can prepare as | | | | driver is so tired their awareness has dipped and |
| effectively as possible in order to avoid them in | | | | their reactions can be incredibly slow compared to |
| future. | | | | when they feel refreshed. |
| One of the most avoidable types of accident is a | | | | Irresponsible driving doesn't just hurt you if you |
| weather-related accident. When it's raining, snowy | | | | get into an accident, it can hurt your passengers |
| or icy, you can imagine that controlling a vehicle | | | | and any pedestrians or other cars who happen to |
| isn't as easy as it might be on a sunny day - and | | | | be in your way should you lose control. Being |
| even sunny days have their dangers, with sudden | | | | involved in a road traffic accident can be a |
| glares from the sun often causing drivers to lose | | | | terrifying and potentially life-changing event, so it |
| their focus as the bright light shines in their eyes. | | | | is crucial that you and everybody else who uses |
| You should always be careful when the weather | | | | the road for whatever reason does their best to |
| could be considered problematic for drivers, | | | | drive safely, carefully and responsibly. Many |
| whether you're the driver, a cyclist or a | | | | accident victims will agree that the risks are |
| pedestrian. | | | | simply too great to do anything else. |
