What can I do to prevent getting into an auto accident in Florida?

A: Places like West Palm Beach, Florida see a high number of car accidents due to the area’s heavy traffic. There are countless reasons why collisions happen, but many of the causes are preventable. Knowing what to look for and what to prevent will help you avoid future collisions.

Some common causes of car accidents include:

• Reckless driving. Unfortunately you cannot control how others drive, but staying alert and focused will allow you to spot danger signs in other drivers and avoid potential collisions.
• Intoxicated driving. This should be a no-brainer, and yet there continue to be collisions caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Always designate a sober driver when consuming alcohol outside of your home. Don’t become the next victim of a West Palm Beach car accident.
• Speeding. When a vehicle’s speed doubles, its kinetic energy is quadrupled — and the damage inflicted by any collision with that vehicle is also exponentially greater. Obey posted speed limits, and drive defensively when you see other vehicles speeding.
• Texting while driving. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting is responsible for the longest windows of time in which drivers take their eyes off the road (4.6 seconds over a 6 second interval). The concentration required by texting inhibits awareness of your surroundings on the road.
• Following too closely. Following too closely is a common cause of rear bumper accidents. Other drivers are unpredictable; always abide by the three-second rule and leave enough space behind the car in front of you to react in the event of a sudden stop.