Sometimes there is only a thin line that separates a placid drive from a fatal car crash -a grey area this new study tries to throw light on.

Licensed to Skill, a survey by Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) which analysed 700,000 road accidents data recorded between 2005 and 2009, details what is behind those events.

First of all, the research clarifies who is to blame. According to it, driver and rider error or reaction are behind the top three causes of fatal and serious crashes: "failed to look properly", "loss of control" and "poor turn or manoeuvre", which accounted for 65.3 per cent of fatal, 61.8 per cent of serious and 68.6 per cent of slight accidents.

"What is obvious from the top three rankings is that many accidents could be prevented by drivers simply changing their behaviour, as well as gaining more experience. That so many crashes are caused simply by the driver failing to look is shocking," said IAM chief executive Simon Best.

In fourth place would come "behaviour or inexperience", being a factor in 28.0 per cent of accidents.

Surprisingly, circumstances we cannot have control over, such as road environment, factors affecting vision, and vehicle defects, are listed as issues in only very few accidents.

Speed is clearly a major factor in accidents but, contrary to the myth - or what government campaigns advise - exceeding speed limits accounts for only 13.9 per cent of fatal accidents. What accounts for more fatal accidents (15.9 per cent) is "travelling too fast for the conditions," which may happen without breaking any official speed limits at all.

Having seen how accidents happen, this is what the AA advises you to do if the dreaded moment comes:

• Don't lose your temper even if provoked.
• Don't admit liability at the scene; you may be confused, and it may adversely affect the claims process
• Call the emergency services - you must if anyone is injured
• Call your insurance company who should give you guidance
• Make a note of where you are, road conditions, what happened
• Note other vehicles involved - registration numbers, makes, models
• Note who was involved - names, telephone numbers, addresses, insurance details
• Make a note of any witnesses who might confirm what happened
• The Highway Code says you must give your details to anyone with reasonable grounds for requiring them. If you don't you must report details to police within 24 hours
• Take pictures if possible; mobile phones are fine
• If you suspect someone was breaking the law - speeding, using a hand-held phone etc. - tell your insurer and the police

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