What is a common cause of accidents at intersections?

Failing to yield the right of way is a common cause of accidents at intersections because such situations often lead to conflicts between vehicles or between vehicles and pedestrians. At intersections, various traffic rules determine which vehicle should proceed first, and not adhering to those rules can lead to dangerous situations, potentially resulting in collisions. When a driver fails to yield the right of way, they may enter the intersection when another vehicle is already present, leading to a high-risk situation where accidents can easily occur.

While exceeding the speed limit, not using turn signals, and driving while distracted can certainly contribute to accidents, they are generally more related to reckless driving or lack of attention rather than the specific traffic etiquette required at intersections. Thus, failing to yield stands out as a frequent and direct cause of collisions in these high-traffic areas.