Road Safety: How to Avoid the Top 4 Causes of Car Accidents on Charlotte’s Roads

Navigating Charlotte’s roads, from the rush hour crush on I-85 to the bustling streets of South End, requires constant vigilance. With tens of thousands of vehicle crashes occurring in Mecklenburg County each year, the risk is more than just a statistic—it’s a daily reality for Queen City drivers. These incidents are the driving force behind the City of Charlotte’s Vision Zero initiative, a commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

Achieving that goal starts with understanding the root of the problem. While every collision is unique, most can be traced back to a handful of dangerous behaviors. To protect yourself and contribute to a safer Charlotte, it’s critical to know what you’re up against. This guide breaks down the top causes of car accidents in Charlotte and what you can do to avoid them.

Speeding

Charlotte is a city where you can quickly switch from a freeway to a local road in just a few minutes. This is one of the reasons, unfortunately, that speeding is a common cause of accidents around Charlotte. Drivers traveling at highway speeds may not recognize how much slower traffic is moving when switching to local roads.

Speeding is also caused by impatience, which is common in the heavier traffic that tends to come with larger cities. If you see someone who is switching lanes without signaling or is tailgating, they probably represent a danger you should avoid.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving alone caused 3,275 deaths in a recent year. Unfortunately, distracted driving is becoming increasingly prevalent among modern drivers. As more drivers own smartphones or GPS devices, they may be more likely to take their eyes off the road for an unsafe amount of time. 

If you see someone who is swerving slightly in their lane, or even worse, crossing a lane line, they could be distracted. It’s best to keep a distance between your vehicle and those of distracted drivers whenever possible. If you’ve been involved in a collision with a distracted driver, you may want to consult with a car accident lawyer to understand your rights.

Weather Conditions

North Carolina has relatively mild weather much of the year, but when storms hit, they can be devastating. The state is directly in the hurricane path, which means it often sees a lot of major storms during the summer and early fall months.

During a serious rainstorm, roads can become slick, and visibility may drop to almost nothing. The best case scenario is to avoid driving while the rain is at its worst. If you must drive in bad weather, stay in the right lane, turn on your lights, and drive well below the speed limit. 

Slick roads create bad traction. Combine that with low visibility, and accidents can be a frequent result.

Driving Under the Influence

The good news is that driving under the influence is typically much less common than distracted driving or speeding in Charlotte. However, DUI accidents still result in roughly 12,000 deaths per year in the U.S..

Even when drunk driving isn’t as common, it can be a deadly activity. Intoxicated drivers have reduced reflexes and less visibility, and they usually drive recklessly. This combination makes accidents more likely and can increase the severity of injuries caused in those collisions.

Avoiding drunk driving accidents can be difficult. You can decrease the likelihood of being in these types of accidents by avoiding sections of the city with many bars during evening hours. Also, if you see someone who appears to be driving drunk, immediately get off the road and call the police.

Driving Safely in Charlotte

Avoiding accidents in Charlotte is easier when you understand what is most likely to cause crashes. By identifying these dangers before you get behind the wheel, you can be more likely to have a safe trip. Always stay alert and make sure to adjust your driving habits based on current road conditions. By following these steps, driving defensively, and actively participating in our city’s safety initiatives, we can all help make Charlotte’s roads safer for everyone.