It starts with you: Most car accidents stem from human error

Improvements in technology continue to bring down road fatalities. However, most car accidents happen as a result of human error. The best way to reduce your risk is by practicing safe driving habits.

Don’t forget these three key life-saving rules for the road:

• Don’t drink. This one seems obvious, but drunk driving continues to take many lives each year. Nearly one-third of all auto fatalities in the United States involve a drunk driver.
• Drive the speed limit. Did you know that driving 10 mph over the speed limit increases your crash risk by as much as 50 percent?
• Stay focused. There’s a reason why so many states have banned the use of cell phones while driving. It’s estimated that 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the U.S. is due to texting while driving. Studies also show that talking on a cell phone while driving — even by using a hands-free device — can increase your odds of having an accident.