Personal Injury Blog

 

Careless or reckless driving are a leading cause of auto accident deaths.

Anytime you step foot in an automobile, you assume a certain level of risk. Driving has its benefits, but it also has its faults — some of which result in numerous injuries or, worse, fatalities.

Automobiles can become accidental weapons if you’re not paying attention to the road and other drivers.

Everyday fender-benders don’t typically result in many car accident fatalities; however, these accidents do attest to the repeated distractions drivers deal with every day.

Nationwide Causes for Car Accident Fatalities

Nationwide, car accidents have been linked to a variety of causes, including:

  • Types of vehicles driven
  • Travel speed
  • Varying state traffic laws
  • Inclement weather conditions
  • Driving under the influence (from alcohol or other substances, or even just driving tired)
Business Insider reported the Auto Insurance Center’s statistics and a state-by-state breakdown of fatal car accident causes from 2009-2013. The following is a listing of causes identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) auto fatality reporting system, which includes the number of driver, passenger and pedestrian fatalities.
  1. Driving on the wrong side of the road
  2. Failing to follow road signs
  3. Police chases and pursuits
  4. Failing to drive in the proper lane
  5. Improperly or spontaneously changing lanes
  6. Road rage
  7. Careless or reckless driving
  8. Failing to yield to the right-of-way

In nationwide studies and statistics, the most common reasons for fatalities in car accidents are attributed to drivers failing to stay in their proper lane; yielding to the right-of-way is the second largest cause of auto accident fatalities.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute, driver blood alcohol concentration (BAC) beyond the legal limit was reported among 72% of accidents resulting in death nationwide in 2014. Some states, including New Hampshire and Montana, as well as the District of Columbia, account for some of the highest figures for BAC-related auto fatalities  accounting for roughly 96% of them.

Traffic fatality statistics within the first 9 months of 2015 were reported by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) as follows:

A statistical projection of traffic fatalities for the first nine months of 2015 shows that an estimated 26,000 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This represents an increase of about 9.3 percent as compared to the 23,796 fatalities that were reported to have occurred in the first nine months of 2014.”

Safety First

Automobiles were originally designed without safety features, and the automobile’s luxury features advanced over time to include things such as:

  • Radios
  • Digital screens
  • USB or auxiliary outputs for electronic devices

While these advancements were intended for your benefit, they have also contributed to the growing number of distractions drivers face, including:

  • Playing on cell phones
  • Fidgeting with navigation apps
  • Changing music selections or playlists

These comfort features increase driving distractions and driver carelessness, which in-turn increases the need for automobiles to have stronger safety features, developed through advanced technology and testing.  

Now, many vehicles are manufactured to include airbags, seat belts, warning sensors, reverse cameras and other safety tech.

In Florida, careless or reckless driving accounts for the majority of car accident related fatalities. Just remember to pay attention and drive responsibly. Whether you are driving your daily commute or travelling across country, safe driving should be your number one priority to help save lives  including your own.

DUI_Accident_Guide

Leave A Comment