There’s an argument that periodically surfaces about the semantics (i.e. the meaning) of accidents vs crashes (or collisions). Some people argue that when a vehicle crashes it is never an accident because it was preventable. However, this is simplistic and, well, wrong.
The word ‘accident’ describes intent. If we look at one definition of accident it is an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. Therefore, if you throw a knife at a group of people and it hits and stabs one of them, it’s not an accident because it was deliberate; however, if you trip in the kitchen while carrying a knife and you stab someone, it is an accident. Sure, you should have perhaps been more careful, and you could have decided to carry the knife in a sheath, but the fact remains that you had no intention of stabbing the person in the second instance, you were simply moving the knife from one place to another.
The same applies with an accident. If you run a red light, this is like throwing the knife at a group of people – you might hit one, you might not hit one, but the chances are that you will because you have dramatically increased your risk by deliberately increasing the likelihood you will cause someone significant harm. However, if you are driving normally and you fail to notice that the inside of the corner is shaded and still a little frosty and that causes you to crash off the road into a tree, that is an accident.
Should you have been more careful? Of course, but the level of care you take is completely representative of your previous experiences with similar situations. It still does not eliminate the intent, which was to stay on the road.
Are crashes, collisions or accidents preventable?
Non-preventable scenarios
100% of vehicle accidents are preventable if you never drive, but that’s ridiculous. Most accidents are preventable in real life. The only ones that are not preventable are, for example, when a rock slide hits your campervan (this happened in New Zealand recently, sweeping the campervan into a gorge), if a tyre blows out because of a sharp stone in the road, if you come around a corner and a kangaroo jumps out in front of you unexpectedly, or if another driver runs into you when you have zero time or space to react or evade them. These are all unpreventable accidents because, while driving normally, you are presented with a situation that either the vehicle or you are incapable of avoiding because of the laws of physics and biology.
Preventable scenarios
As we said above, the vast majority of accidents are preventable. By accidents, we mean when you didn’t do something overtly and deliberately dangerous, you simply made a misjudgment. For example you were driving without exceeding the speed limit, in a vehicle that was roadworthy (good tyres, brakes, suspension, etc), leaving enough gap between you and the vehicle in front, and you were not driving drunk, drugged or tired, and what happened was that you misread the road surface or direction. These accidents are preventable by improving your road skills and awareness. Advanced driving courses, instruction from an approved driving instructor, and maintaining concentration on the road will keep you safe.
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