A major cause of fatal crashes is what?

Driving too fast for road conditions is identified as a major cause of fatal crashes because it encompasses situations where a driver exceeds a safe speed based on the circumstances. This includes factors such as weather conditions (like rain, snow, or ice), road conditions (such as potholes or construction zones), visibility (poor light conditions or fog), and traffic patterns. Even if a driver is within the legal speed limit, they may be driving too fast if the conditions don't allow for safe travel at that speed. Recognizing this helps emphasize the importance of adjusting speed to fit the environment and ensures better control over the vehicle, reducing the likelihood of accidents and fatalities.

Other factors like driving under the influence and being overly cautious can also contribute to accidents, but it is the inability to adapt speed to prevailing conditions that significantly raises the risk of serious crashes. Moreover, although driving at the speed limit might imply safe driving under normal conditions, it doesn't take into account unique and hazardous road situations.