When you think about Fargo, what comes to mind? Maybe it's the friendly people, the crisp winters, or the way the city hums with life while still maintaining that small-town feel. But like any city, Fargo has its challenges, and one of the biggest, unfortunately, is car accidents.
And when you start to dig into the causes, one thing becomes crystal clear: many of these accidents are preventable, rooted in specific driver behaviors that we see every day on the streets of Fargo.
And of course, Fargo car accident lawyers are in the habit of helping victims of reckless driving accidents, holding the responsible driver accountable for their actions. They do not stop fighting until the victim gets every form of compensation that is due to them.
Reckless Driver Behaviors That Cause Accidents in Fargo
Here is a list of the leading behaviors that drivers in Fargo practice that cause accidents:
Distracted driving
Let’s start with something we’ve all been guilty of at one point or another: distracted driving. You know how it goes. You’re driving down 13th Avenue, maybe you’re running late for work or just heading to West Acres for a quick shopping trip. Then, all of a sudden, your phone buzzes, and without even thinking, you glance down to see who’s texting you. It’s just a second, right? But that second is all it takes.
Also, in winter, Fargo’s roads can be treacherous. Ice, snow, and slush can make even a short trip a real challenge. But when you add speed into the mix, you’re asking for trouble.
Even in the warmer months, speeding is a problem. You’ve got drivers racing down I-29 or zipping through residential areas where kids are playing.
And the sad truth is, the faster you’re going, the less time you have to react to something unexpected, say a deer crossing the road or another driver making a sudden stop.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a problem everywhere, but in Fargo, it’s particularly concerning given our culture of celebration and the number of bars and breweries in town.
Fargo has a vibrant nightlife, and it's no secret that we love to unwind after a long week. Alcohol is a part of social life here. But getting behind the wheel after drinking is where things go wrong—terribly wrong.
But the problem isn’t just the person who’s had too much to drink and decides to drive home. It’s also about the people who don’t speak up, the friends who let friends drive drunk, bartenders who serve one too many, and everyone who thinks it won’t happen to them.
Aggressive Driving
We might not think of Fargo as a place where road rage is common, but aggressive driving is still a significant problem here.
Aggressive driving often comes from a place of frustration and that frustration can quickly turn into aggression.
Whenever you're feeling the urge to speed up, to swerve around that slowpoke, to “teach them a lesson.” But we have to remember that every time we give in to that urge, we’re making the roads less safe for everyone. It’s not worth it.
Fatigued Driving
Fatigued driving is like drunk driving in some ways. Your reaction times slow down, your judgment gets cloudy, and you’re more likely to make mistakes.
Research has shown that driving after being awake for 18 hours is similar to driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. After 24 hours, it’s closer to 0.10% and that’s actually over the legal limit.
The best way to avoid fatigued driving is simple: don’t do it. If you’re tired, pull over, take a break, or switch drivers. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.