Auto Accidents in Urban Areas

I have been reading of many auto accidents occurring in urban areas. Why are they common in urban areas?

For a number of reasons, auto accidents can happen anywhere. However, because of the structural development of roadways in urban areas, and the larger number of vehicles plying there, the chances of an accident are greater.

Here are some of the common causes:

Large volumes of traffic on multi-lane highways may lead to tailgating, reckless driving, speeding and improper lane changes. It is common for drivers to become impatient in traffic jams, road construction, and detours, thus causing an accident.

One-way streets, limited u-turns, and bus or bike lanes are often confusing to motorists who are not familiar with urban street directions. It is common for these motorists to drive against traffic on one-way streets, or make dangerous u-turns in unsafe areas.

Running red lights is the major cause of urban auto accidents. It can be extremely dangerous to drivers and other unsuspecting motorists.

Many urban roads are heavily used and poorly maintained, resulting in cracks, potholes, and other defects. These defects can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles or can damage car tires.

When construction zones are improperly blocked off, or when no signs are visible to inform drivers of a construction work, there is an increased probability of auto accidents.