Not all accidents are preventable. This is the very nature of an accident. They are unpredictable, and therefore it is not always possible to take preventative measures against them. However, there are a few cases in which certain factors exacerbate the chances of an accident happening. These factors are what can be eliminated.

In 2012 alone, the number of lethal car accidents across the U.S. totaled up to 30,800. While that was a drop from previous years, it is still a very large number. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration keep track of every lethal car accident that occurs in the country. They also keep track of the causes for these accidents. This can lead to the discovery of certain patterns which increase the likelihood of an accident.

There are some causes that simply are not preventable. However, a number of accidents are either due to negligence on the part of one or more drivers, poor maintenance of a vehicle, or faulty manufacturing of the vehicle. There are also accidents that occur because of entirely preventable things like driver distraction or impairment. This is why there are so many campaigns geared against drunk driving or texting while driving. Taking one’s eyes away from the road for even a second can result in a potentially lethal accident.

While it is impossible to entirely stop accidents, these preventable aspects can at least be controlled. One of the best things that a person can do to prevent accidents while on the road is paying attention.