Car crashes continue to be a tragic issue on roads nationwide, and even though modern vehicles are safer than ever, the numbers are still alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 40,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2022 alone.
So, what causes these fatal accidents? It’s not always what you might think. While road conditions and vehicle malfunctions do contribute, most deadly crashes still come down to human behavior. Below, our friends at Pavlack Law, LLC discuss the three leading causes of car accident fatalities.
- Speeding – Still a Deadly Habit
Speeding is a factor in roughly one out of every three fatal crashes, according to NHTSA. The logic is simple: the faster you go, the less time you have to react—and the harder you hit when things go wrong.
It’s not just about breaking the speed limit, either. Driving too fast for the road or weather conditions is just as dangerous. Wet pavement? Low visibility? Icy roads? In all of those situations, speed becomes a multiplier for risk.
In fact, research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that even modest speed increases (think 5 or 10 mph over) can significantly raise the risk of a fatal injury. And the higher the speed, the less effective your seatbelt or airbags become.
- Impaired Driving — Alcohol, Drugs, and a False Sense of Control
Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, impaired driving is still a significant cause of fatal crashes. In 2022, over 13,000 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes—that’s nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA.
And it’s not just alcohol. Drug-impaired driving, including both prescription medications and illegal substances, is a growing concern. THC, opioids, and even sleep aids can dull a driver’s reflexes and impair judgment.
What makes this issue more complex is that many drivers don’t realize just how little it takes to be dangerously impaired. Even if someone is “under the legal limit,” their driving ability can still be affected in ways that increase crash risk.
- Distracted Driving — A Growing and Underreported Threat
Most of us have glanced at a text or adjusted the GPS while driving. But those few seconds of distraction can—and do—cost lives.
NHTSA data from 2022 shows that 3,308 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers. And that number is likely an undercount. Unlike alcohol, distraction leaves behind fewer obvious traces. Unless someone admits to it, or there’s camera footage or phone records, it’s hard to prove.
Phones get the most attention, but distractions come in many forms—passengers, eating, grooming, or even daydreaming. Anything that takes your eyes, hands, or focus off the road increases the chances of a crash.
The Significance Of These Causes
What’s striking is that all three of these causes—speed, impairment, and distraction—are entirely preventable. They’re not mechanical failures or unavoidable hazards. They’re human choices.
That also means they can be changed. Public safety campaigns, technology like automatic emergency braking, and better enforcement all help. But ultimately, safety starts with driver behavior.
Final Thoughts
The numbers are clear. As a car accident lawyer knows, fatal accidents aren’t just about bad luck—they’re often about bad habits. While technology and road design have come a long way, it’s up to all of us to make safer choices behind the wheel.
Want more insights backed by reliable data? Visit NHTSA.gov, CDC.gov, or IIHS.org for trusted resources.
