Common Causes Of Road Traffic Accidents
Sarah John's
Legal Writer
On roads across Scotland, road traffic accidents still cause harm and disruption for many families. In 2023, UK police recorded over 140,000 casualties from road collisions, with more than 25,000 classed as serious or fatal. Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists share a duty to keep safety in front of their minds.
Some crashes cannot be avoided, but many can be prevented with simple choices and steady habits. This guide looks at the main causes of car accidents and shows how to reduce the risk.
We will cover distraction, tiredness, drink and drugs, and the role of speed limits in daily driving. We will also explain how exceeding the speed limit and driving too close to other vehicles increases risk on both urban and rural roads. If you need help after a Injury Claim In Scotlandcrash, you can find useful information about Road Traffic Accident Claims Scotland later in this article.
Table of Contents
Get In Touch With Your Local Office:
With local knowledge and a national network of experts, we have the experience you can count on.
What Are The Main Causes Of Road Traffic Accidents?
Driver Distraction: The Leading Cause of Road Collisions
Driver distraction is a leading contributory factor and one of the main causes of road accidents on both urban and rural roads in Scotland. It can affect anyone who drives, rides a cycle, or walks near traffic. Staying focused protects you and everyone around you.
Common distractions include mobile phones, in-car audio systems, children who need attention, and backseat advice that takes your mind off the road. In Scotland, it is illegal to hold a phone or a sat nav while driving, even when you are stopped at lights or in a queue. The penalty is 6 points and a £200 fine, and new drivers within two years can lose their licence.
A quick look at a screen can be enough to cause fatal accidents, so treat every message as something that can wait. If you need to check your phone, find a safe place to stop off the road, turn off the engine, and remove the keys. The same rule applies to setting a route or changing music.
Set yourself up to avoid temptation before you start driving. Switch the phone off or use driving modes that silence alerts, and send calls to voicemail. Keep the device out of reach, and set your sat nav and playlist before the journey begins.
Ask passengers to help you focus, not distract you. If children need help, pull over somewhere safe and sort things out before you continue. Small choices like these decrease distractions and lower the risk of a crash.
Speeding and Reckless Driving:
Speeding and reckless driving remain a major cause of serious accident on Scotland’s roads. RoSPA data shows that inappropriate speed contributes to about 11 per cent of injury crashes and around a quarter of fatal collisions. Every road traffic collision at high speed carries greater force and a narrower margin for error.
Remember that limits mark the maximum, not the target. Good road safety means matching your speed to weather, traffic, road curves, and surface grip, especially on rural single carriageways. Many crashes start with someone traveling too fast for what the road allows.
Keep both distance from the other vehicles and speed under control. Use the two-second rule and double it in rain, fog, or in icy weather. Leaving this gap helps you spot obstacles early and stop smoothly when needed.
Make it a habit to check your speed often and look out for junction and speed limit signs. When there are street lights and no signs, assume the limit is 30 mph. Driving in third gear at this speed helps you stay smooth and avoid going over the limit.
The numbers tell a clear story, and they are avoidable. In 2023, exceeding the limit was linked to 5,072 crashes, and driving too fast for conditions was a factor in 3,717. Choosing the right speed helps avoid common accident causes and protects everyone on the road.
Driving While Fatigued:
Driving while tired is a real risk on Scotland’s roads. About one in five crashes involves driver fatigue as a contributing factor, which slows reactions and blurs judgment. That puts you and other road users in danger.
Long rural drives, late shifts, and dark winter mornings can make any driver feel sleepy. Plan your trip with breaks, share the driving with someone else when you can, and keep the car well ventilated. Listen to early signs of tiredness like yawning, uneven speed, or drifting out of your lane.
If sleepiness starts, stop in a safe place away from traffic. Do not use a motorway hard shoulder unless it is an emergency. Have a coffee or another caffeinated drink, take a short nap, then give yourself a few minutes to fully wake up before you start driving again.
Simple habits reduce tiredness-related causes of accidents. Aim for good sleep, avoid heavy meals or alcohol before long trips, and take a break every two hours.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Driving under the influence is one of the common causes of road accidents in Scotland. It remains a common factor in serious injuries and deaths on our roads. NHS figures show that thousands were killed or hurt in a single year in accidents where at least one driver was under the influence.
The safest choice is not to drink at all if you plan to drive. Scotland has a lower legal alcohol limit than England and Wales, and even small amounts can affect judgment and reaction time. Drugs that are illegal or misused medicines also impair driving and increase risk.
Drink driving or drug driving can lead to losing your licence, getting a criminal record, or even going to prison if someone dies because of your actions. The danger affects everyone on the road, including passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers.
If you know you are going to drink, make a plan before you go out so you do not need to drive. Arrange for a friend to pick you up, book a taxi, use public transport, and turn down drinks if you are the driver. These simple steps can remove one of the biggest car accident causes and make Scotland’s roads safer.
Poor Judgement and Loss of Control While Driving
Poor judgment and loss of control are common car accident causes on Scotland’s roads. They often appear in car crash reports and can lead to serious personal injury. Data gathered by the department for transport and other sources points to frequent mistakes when drivers judge another road user’s path or speed.
Many crashes happen because drivers misjudge gaps or the speed of other vehicles. Turning across a cyclist, pulling out too soon, or trying to overtake when it is not safe can lead to serious accidents. A clear view and a patient choice often prevent the worst outcome.
Loss of control often happens when a driver turns too sharply or goes too fast through a turn. Wet leaves, ice, puddles, or worn tyres can suddenly reduce grip and make the car slide. Smooth steering, early braking, and good tyres keep the car stable.
Simple habits make a big difference and reduces the risk for everyone. Always look far ahead so you can spot obstacles early, keep a steady distance from other vehicles, and adjust your speed to match traffic and weather conditions. Tackling these car accident causes helps reduce harm on Scotland’s roads.
Unsafe Manoeuvres and Failing to Look Properly
What are the major causes of road accidents? Unsafe manoeuvres and a failure to look properly on the road are high on the accident cause list in Scotland. These errors can happen in busy cities and on quiet rural roads alike. Staying calm, checking carefully, and giving yourself time to see what is around you can prevent many accidents.
Recent figures from Great Britain show how common these mistakes are. About 32.7 per cent of crashes involved a driver or rider who did not look properly, which equals 21,807 cases. Poor turns or unsafe manoeuvres caused 6,860 crashes, or 10.3 per cent, and pedestrians failing to look around properly were linked to 4,282 crashes, or 6.4 per cent.
Most of these crashes start with simple lapses. Turning too quickly, rolling through a junction, or skipping a mirror check can hide a cyclist, pedestrian, or another vehicle that is close by in your blind spot. Slowing down earlier and checking your mirrors one more time before moving helps you see what is around you and avoid danger.
Approach every junction cautiously, assuming your view is obscured until you can clearly see the road ahead. Pay attention to the road surface and your surroundings, as wet spots, parked cars, and sharp turns can obscure your view of oncoming traffic. Always signal early, keep a safe and steady distance from others, and only make your turn when you are certain the way is completely clear.
DEDICATED CLAIMS ADVISORS
Our dedicated claims advisors are always available to offer free legal advice.
100% NO WIN NO FEE CLAIMS
All our claims are processed on a No Win No Fee basis; you pay nothing if you lose.
MILLIONS SECURED IN DAMAGES
To date, we have secured millions in damages.
THOUSANDS OF SATISFIED CLIENTS
To date, we have helped thousands of clients recover compensation and continue to do so.
Weather Conditions and Slippery Roads
Scottish weather can change fast, and that change can catch drivers off guard. In winter, poor light, rain, snow, and ice make roads slippery and visibility low. When people ask what are the reasons for road accidents, bad weather is often part of the answer.
Slow down early and keep a longer gap with the vehicles in front of you so you have time to stop on a slippery surface. Use gentle steering and braking, keep windows clear, and switch on your lights when visibility drops. Watch for people on bikes and on foot who are harder to see in rain or fog.
Prepare before you set off. Make sure that the tyres have the right tread depth and pressure, make sure the wipers work well, and top up the screenwash. Avoid flooded or slippery roads where your tyres may lose grip.
Seatbelt Safety and the Fatal Five Rule
Wearing a seatbelt is a simple step that saves lives on the road. It is illegal to travel in any seat without a working seatbelt, and everyone in the vehicle must wear one. Before you start your journey, check that all passengers are buckled up and that children are secured in the right car seat or restraint for their age and size.
The Fatal Five highlight the habits that cause the most harm. They are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, distracted by a handheld mobile phone or other device, drinking and using drugs, and driving carelessly or inconsiderately. Avoiding these behaviours reduces the likelihood of a collision and makes injuries less severe if one occurs.
Build safer habits every day. Always fasten your seatbelt first, set your phone to driving mode, and plan a safe, sober way to get home. If you are hurt in a collision, our panel of solicitors can help you make an Injury Claim In Scotland and explain your options.
What to Do After Being Involved in a Road Traffic Accident
If you have been in a road traffic accident in Scotland and want clear advice, our panel of solicitors can help. Call 01412801112 or email contact@hdclaims.co.uk for friendly guidance on your next steps.
Can’t Work Due To Illness Or Injury?
Use our free online claim check tool and find out in minutes if you have a claim.
Preventing Road Traffic Accidents: Safe Driving Tips and Awareness
Safe driving begins before you even start the car. Plan your route, allow for extra time, and set your navigation or music while parked. A calm start lowers stress and keeps your focus on the road.
Match your speed to the road, weather, and traffic. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead so that you have enough time to react if something unexpected happens. In the rain, fog, or ice, apply the two-second rule twice as much.
Put your phone out of reach and turn on a driving mode that silences alerts. Avoid checking messages until you have stopped somewhere safe. Even a short glance away from the road can cause a serious mistake.
Wear your seatbelt on every journey, and check that children are secured in the right restraint. Watch carefully for cyclists, horses, and pedestrians, especially on narrow or winding rural roads. Take one more mirror check before you move or turn.
If you start feeling tired, stop as soon as it is safe. Take a short break, stretch, or have a drink with caffeine before you continue. Never drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs; choose another way home instead.
Prepare your car for Scotland’s changing weather. Check tyre tread and pressure, wipers, and lights. Clear frost, snow, and condensation from all windows before setting off to make sure your view is completely clear.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What percentage of car accidents are caused by drunk driving?
In Great Britain, about 6.1% of all car accidents in 2023 were caused by drivers impaired by alcohol.
How many car accidents are linked to alcohol use?
In 2023, alcohol-impaired driving was a factor in 4,089 car accidents in Great Britain.
How many accidents occur due to open car doors?
Negligently opened or closed vehicle doors contributed to 84 car accidents in Great Britain in 2023, which is about 0.1% of all accidents.
How many car accidents result from texting while driving?
In 2023 in Great Britain, drivers using a mobile phone were a factor in about 463 crashes, which is roughly 0.7 % of all reported accidents.
How many car accidents involve traffic lights?
Defective or faulty traffic signal systems contributed to around 93 car accidents in Great Britain in 2023, about 0.1 % of the total.
How many car accidents are caused by mechanical failure?
Approximately 1,350 crashes in the UK each year are caused by vehicle defects, which represents about 2 % of all reported accidents.
How many car accidents are due to brake failure?
In Great Britain, each year, defective brakes contribute to about 553 vehicle crashes — roughly 0.8% of all reported accidents.
How many car accidents in Great Britain are caused by drug use?
Drivers and riders affected by drugs, whether illegal or prescription, are involved in around 1,853 accidents each year. This means drug impairment contributes to about 2.8 per cent of all crashes across Great Britain.
How many car accidents are caused by speeding?
In 2023, going over the speed limit was a factor in about 5,072 crashes across Great Britain, which equals around 7.2 per cent of all accidents. Driving too fast for road or weather conditions caused another 3,717 crashes, or about 5.6 per cent of the total.
How many car accidents are due to bad weather?
Weather conditions caused approximately 7,635 crashes in the United Kingdom in 2023. This includes approximately 4,458 caused by slippery roads and 1,307 by rain, sleet, snow, or fog.
How many car accidents are caused by dogs?
There are no specific figures for dogs, but animals or objects in the carriageway were involved in approximately 631 crashes, accounting for roughly 0.9% of all accidents.
How many car accidents in the UK involve teenage drivers?
Learner or inexperienced drivers and riders caused approximately 2,433 accidents, accounting for 3.6% of all reported collisions.
Easy Ways To Get In Touch
We are here to help. Give us a call, request a call back or use our free claim check tool to get in touch with our friendly legal team. With local knowledge and a national network of experts, we have the experience you can count on.
