According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) annual crash report, there have been 200,176 traffic crashes for the year 2024. As road congestion continues to rise, it is important to become familiar with the common risky driving behaviors that cause the most accidents in the state.
Operating while intoxicated (OWI)
OWI is not only a bad driving habit but also a dangerous one. When a person drives while they are drunk, the alcohol in their system can cloud their judgement and contribute to poor hand-eye coordination and slower response time.
Since drunk driving can make it hard to perceive distance, the driver is not only risking their own safety, but the safety of every other driver on their path as well.
Speeding
The Indiana University Public Policy Institute released traffic safety data that showcased 14,600 speed-related crashes for the year 2023. When a person drives at excessive speed, they lower their ability to hit their brakes at their required stopping distance.
Additionally, reckless speeding can cause high-impact crashes. When this happens, the victims usually suffer severe crash injuries such as collapsed lungs, brain injuries and even death.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is a serious road safety issue that can endanger everyone’s safety on the road. This risky behavior refers to any handheld activity that diverts the driver’s focus while they are driving.
Five common examples of these distractions include texting, emailing, eating, drinking and watching videos.
Driving with caution can protect everybody
When drivers understand and obey traffic laws, they can drive with better caution and recognize potential safety risks from other drivers on the road.