Traffic Crash Problem

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Traffic Crash Problem & Contributions of DUI and Other Hazardous Acts

Since we are so used to driving from place to place, it is easy to forget about the inherent dangers involved. Across America in 2013, there were 5,687,000 crashes which led to 32,719 fatalities. Compared to air travel in U.S. during the same year, there were only 33 crashes, with a total of 62 fatalities. With that said, air travel is one of the safest forms of transit! But, traveling by air is simply not an option when we need to go to school, work, or other local areas.

Defensive Driving

 

Distracted Driver

Knowing that driving is such a dangerous task, various experts have developed some safe driving practices that, when used correctly, can make you less likely to be involved in an accident. Did you know that 13.7% of fatal accidents involve a driver under the influence of alcohol, and 20.6% of fatal accidents involve speeding? It makes sense that there are some simple ways that we can improve our driving habits.

Distracted driving doesn’t only apply to driving under the influence, it also includes talking or texting on a phone, putting on make-up, eating or drinking, and even talking to other passengers! In fact, anything that pulls your attention from the road is considered distracted driving and it can be deadly.

Tips:

  • Follow the speed limit (it exists for a reason!)
  • Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Pull over when you enjoy a snack or drink, even if it’s something simple
  • Don’t have too many passengers in the car (and limit how much you chat with them)
  • Keep your attention on the road
  • Don’t do makeup or brush your hair while you’re driving
  • Put down the phone, texting and driving is extremely dangerous

Did you know that during 2010, there were more than 1.41 million drivers arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in America? Alcohol-related highway crashes led to 13,365 deaths in the U.S during that year.

The Cost of an Accident

 

tomb, death

With the massive number of accidents that happen on a daily basis, it’s easy to imagine that accidents come at a great cost to those involved in them. But have you ever considered the economic and societal aspects that a car accident can impact? There are a lot of costs associated with accidents, such as loss of life, decreased quality of life, lost earnings, lost household production, medical costs, emergency services, travel delays (congestion on roadways), vocational rehabilitation, workplace costs, legal expenses, and administrative costs.

According to an AAA study, the average cost of a single vehicle fatality was approximately $6 million in 2009. Another study estimated that accidents across the United States had a total economic and societal impact of around $871 billion. These numbers demonstrate just how costly accidents are for us all—after all, even if you aren’t in the crash, you can still be held up in traffic and arrive at work late. You could also have more work to do if one of the employees is unable to appear! Since accidents impact all of us, it’s important that we all do our best to prevent any crashes from happening.


References

2013 Crash Overview“. NHTSA. 2015.
Crash Archives” B3A. Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives.
Traffic Safety Facts 2012: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System“. NHTSA. 2012.
Crashes vs. Congestion — What’s the Cost to Society?” AAA. 2011.
The Economic and Societal Impact Of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2010“. NHTSA. 2014.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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