Car accidents happen, but when they do, they are oftentimes devastating for the victims. They leave scars, wreckage, and trauma that can last a lifetime. For this reason, it is vital to take the necessary precautions to avoiding accidents. To better be aware of how to prevent car accidents, it helps to know what is currently occurring in relation to them. Below you’ll find the top 10 most important facts about car accidents so you can understand how today’s driving can affect you.
Drugged Driving Risk
According to U.S. News, drugged driving increases one’s risk of being involved in a car accident by 24%. This rate is much higher than that of driving under the influence of alcohol, which currently stands at 16%. Both are extremely dangerous and preventable.
National Efforts to Reduce Drunk Driving Have Helped
Back in 1999, there were nearly 16,000 alcohol related car accident fatalities in the United States. Due to the efforts of the government and organizations like the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, that figure has been reduced to a little over 10,000 fatalities. While that figure is still higher than anyone would like, it is a noticeable drop that will hopefully continue to trend further down with continued efforts.
The Top Three States for Car Accidents Are…
California, Texas, and Tennessee are currently the leading states with the most car accident fatalities per year. These states have 31.1, 29.4, and 25.5 vehicle deaths per every 100,000 people respectively. The main contributors to this state of affairs are heavy traffic, weather, and poor driving habits.
Cell Phones are Also a Problem
In 2011, according to statistics, 23% of all auto collisions involved the use of cell phones. Cell phones are notorious for distracting drivers, causing dangerous driving habits, and being harmful to other drivers. They are also a source of fatal car crashes. Five seconds is all it takes to take your attention away from the wheel.
Cell Phones Increase Risk
When driving while using a cell phone, drivers increase their risk of an accident by a whole 23%. This is an alarming statistics when one considers how many people use their cell phones and drive. For example, 13% of drivers between the ages of 18-20 reported using their cell phone at the time of the crash.
It’s a Leading Cause of Death
According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle fatalities are the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. These accidents usually occur because of poor driving, bad weather, vehicle malfunctions, or driving under the influence.
States with the Safest Highways
People consider states with safe living standards, so choosing one based on highway safety isn’t a bad idea either. The top three states with the safest highways are Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana.
The Worst Drivers in the U.S. are…
One car insurance website decided to also list the state with the worst drivers. As luck would have it, Louisiana made the cut. The information taken into account included road fatalities, traffic citations, drunk driving, and seatbelt violations.
How Many People Drive in the US…
In a poll conducted by the TNS, 90% of Americans use a motor vehicle to commute. With over 220 adults in the United States, this means that there are millions of people on the road commuting every single day.
With that, it is easy to see that vehicles pay a huge part in the daily life of very American. In addition to that, with these statistics, it is only made more clear that safety standards need to be upheld, people need to be aware of what they do when driving, and that getting behind the wheel not only possibly endangers the driver, but also others around.
