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Top Causes of Car Accidents in Bergen County and How to Avoid Them
Addressing the High-Risk Factors for Car Crashes in New Jersey
Experiencing a motor vehicle accident can inflict severe personal injuries, extensive property damage, and, tragically, can result in the ultimate loss of life. Navigating the roads of New Jersey can be treacherous, and Bergen County reports a substantial number of crashes, given its large population and busy road network.
According to Grungo Law, Bergen County is one of the leading counties in New Jersey for intersection crashes in the last five years, which account for 30% of all crashes in the county. Being a responsible driver today means more than just obeying the law. You must actively understand the core cause of car accidents in New Jersey and implement simple yet effective preventive measures. In this blog, we will discuss some of the leading causes of car accidents in Bergen County, NJ, and provide some practical tips on how you can avoid them.
Summary of Safety Knowledge and Awareness—Your Best Collision Defense in Bergen County
Top Causes of Accidents
Distracted and Reckless Driving
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Vehicle Defects
Excessive Speeding
Driver’s Fatigue or Bad Weather
How to Avoid Accidents
Eliminate Distractions
Respect Speed Limits
Practice Defensive Driving
Proactive Vehicle Maintenance
Avoid Fatigue and Bad Weather
Summary of Safety Knowledge and Awareness—Your Best Collision Defense in Bergen County
Top Causes of Accidents
Distracted and Reckless Driving
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Vehicle Defects
Excessive Speeding
Driver’s Fatigue or Bad Weather
How to Avoid Accidents
Eliminate Distractions
Respect Speed Limits
Practice Defensive Driving
Proactive Vehicle Maintenance
Avoid Fatigue and Bad Weather
Most Dangerous Road in Bergen County, New Jersey
Route 17 is the deadliest road in Bergen County. Always practice defensive driving and use service stops if you’re feeling tired or bored with highway driving.
The Epidemic of Distracted Driving
Today, distracted driving is the leading cause of traffic accidents. We often think of this as just texting or talking on the phone, but the danger goes much deeper. Even a quick second spent adjusting your GPS or radio takes your focus entirely off the road. Other drivers often let their attention drift due to factors like trying to manage conversations with passengers in the vehicle or tending to children traveling with them.
Nothing is Worth Losing a Moment's Focus
Even mundane common activities like eating, drinking, or shaving behind the wheel can distract you. A particularly unique type of distracted driving is rubbernecking, where drivers slow down to look at a previous accident scene. Even a careful and considerate motorist can be involved in a rubbernecking accident with cars, typically resulting in a jarring rear-end collision.
Car Crashes at Intersections Are Quite Common
Intersection accidents account for 30% of all Bergen County crashes, so be extra careful at intersections and always observe the right of way.
Addiction to Excessive Speeding
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, excessive speed has been a leading factor in accidents in cars, involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities for more than two decades. Many drivers are addicted to speeding on highways, often because everyone else is doing it. Driving at high speeds drastically reduces the time you have to react to sudden road conditions, unpredictable behavior from other drivers, or pedestrians.
Overconfidence and False Illusion of Control
Speeding around a curve is even more dangerous because it increases the chances of losing control of the vehicle and being involved in a high-impact crash. There’s also a common misconception that speeding slightly is only a minor risk. However, hitting a pedestrian at 35 mph makes a collision more than twice as likely to be fatal compared to hitting them at 30 mph. A mere 5 mph increase in speed disproportionately increases the impact and fatality risk in low-speed urban zones of Bergen County.
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If you have been in an accident and are looking for a reliable auto repair shop, turn to the specialists at Mizzoni’s Auto Body. We are a certified collision center, and we guarantee your vehicle’s frame and safety systems will be restored to factory standards.
Road Rage and Reckless Disregard
Aggressive driving behaviors, such as erratic lane changes, failing to signal, cutting off other drivers, and excessive honking, can easily lead to dangerous, multi-car accidents. Following too closely, also known as tailgating, is an extremely common cause of rear-end car accidents. Many fatal car accidents have occurred from rear-ended collisions when a motorist dangerously tailgated another driver at high speeds
The High Cost of Aggressive Driving
This pattern of disrespect and disregard for road safety fuels the high number of accidents in New Jersey, including Bergen County. When inexperienced or teen drivers hit the roads, they don’t always know what to do, and that lack of experience ends up causing car accidents. Sometimes, these high-impact events are severe T-bone crashes or result in dangerous rollover accidents.
Pedestrian Exposure to Speed and Crash Risk
A mere 5 mph increase in speed, from 30 mph to 35 mph, makes the collision more than twice as likely to be fatal.
Unforeseen or Ignored Vehicle Defects
Unforeseen vehicle defects are often a silent danger. Manufacturers may voluntarily recall a certain vehicle due to a defect, or the government might order a recall to ensure automotive safety. A driver may notice subtle issues that should prompt a repair visit. Your brakes might grind, the gas pedal might not have enough resistance, or the car could sway due to wheel misalignment. Serious problems, such as overlooked frame damage resulting from rust, poor road conditions, or improper prior vehicle repairs, pose an alarming risk to all.
A Small Dent Can Be a Silent Killer
A catastrophic event like sudden unintended acceleration due to an overlooked defect could lead to a fatal crash. Many drivers think that a minor rear-ended vehicle or fender-bender doesn’t require a specialty shop. But even low-speed collisions can cause hidden frame or unibody damage that compromises the vehicle’s structural integrity and its ability to protect occupants in a future crash.
Could Your Car Be a Ticking Time Bomb? Get a Free Safety Check Today
Even minor defects can compromise your vehicle’s structural integrity, making a fender-bender potentially catastrophic. Mizzoni’s is an I-CAR® Gold-certified auto body, and we offer a lifetime warranty on all our work. We’ll always ensure your vehicle’s safety systems function as intended if you are ever involved in a second accident.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is severely dangerous and completely illegal, and often results in single motor vehicle accidents. Studies show that having THC in your system makes you approximately twice as likely to cause a fatal crash. Also, remember that prescription medication or even high doses of over-the-counter medicines can lead to intoxication.
Fatal Consequences of Impaired Judgment
Impaired drivers suffer from slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and decreased coordination. They often cannot focus or lose their range of vision, or an intoxicated driver might simply fall asleep behind the wheel, causing catastrophic car accidents at night.
Penalties for DUI in New Jersey
A DUI conviction in New Jersey can result in license suspension, fines of up to $500 for a first offense, and the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
The Danger of Driver’s Fatigue
Driving drowsiness has been a major contributing factor in countless fatal vehicle accidents in Bergen County. Lack of sleep before long drives or driving sleepy during an office commute can significantly impair your ability to drive safely. Driver fatigue affects your judgment, causes drowsiness and poor concentration, and drastically reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood of an accident. Driver fatigue can be considered negligence, and the driver can be found to be at fault or partially at fault for an accident due to drowsy driving.
Inclement Weather Conditions
New Jersey is known for experiencing a variety of weather conditions that create hazardous driving situations. Rain, heavy snow, thick fog, and especially ice on the road reduce visibility and make the roads dangerously slippery. When ice on the road is a factor, the risk of car crashes in New Jersey increases dramatically, especially for larger vehicles. There are multiple incidents of jackknifing trucks in adverse weather conditions, like rain or snow.
Stranded in Bergen County After an Accident? Call Our 24/7 Tow Service Now
When an accident leaves you stranded, the last thing you need is more stress. Whether you have a damaged windshield or need more thorough collision repair, our emergency towing service is available 24/7 to safely transport your damaged vehicle directly to our certified collision center.
Choose Safety and Decelerate the Danger Equation
Tips to Effectively Avoid Car Accidents in the First Place
Always remember that you hold the tools and the power to significantly reduce your risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident with some simple steps.
Eliminate All Distractions
Practice staying focused when you’re driving to avoid accidents. Keep your phone out of reach and use hands-free devices. Always program your GPS before you start moving, and refrain from any attempts at multitasking behind the wheel. If you urgently need to text or make a call, pull over to a safe location.
Respect the Speed Limits
Always observe and obey speed limits, and stay updated about new ones. Remember that the speed limit guidelines were created using common sense, science, and statistics on local accidents in specific areas of Bergen County. Also, adjust your driving speed based on the current road conditions and traffic.
Never Drive Under Any Impairment
If you plan to drink alcohol, rely on a sober driver, stay overnight if possible, or use rideshare services. Never get behind the wheel if you’re under the influence of any substance. Always check the medicine labels for warnings that discourage you from driving or operating machinery.
Most Dangerous Intersections in New Jersey
The notorious intersections near major Paramus malls, such as Route 4 & Forest Avenue, or Route 17 & Ridgewood Avenue, are chronic accident zones. Be extra cautious and watch out for distracted shoppers who are engrossed in their phones.
Need Certified Collision Repair in Bergen County, NJ? Get Warranty-Backed Service Year-Round
Vehicle issues do not fix themselves, so visit Mizzoni’s Auto Body shop proactively to find and rectify any problems. Whether you need framework repair or painless dent repairs, as a certified auto body collision repair shop, we provide a lifetime warranty on all our work. We also assist you with your insurance company, helping you file claims correctly and getting you the maximum settlement possible.