The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dated December 2008 reported that for the first 10 months of 2008, traffic deaths on American roads dropped by 10% or 31,110 deaths, compared to the same period in 1997. Although the decline has been received favorably, it is still a large fatality rate and tragic loss to the surviving family and loved ones. The number of deaths on the roads have decline significantly since the NHTSA took over the task of reporting road fatalities in 1966, when there were more than 50,000 deaths in that year. The figure peaked in 1972 with 54,589 deaths.
In year 2008, the factors contributing to lower death rates on the highways include high gas price resulting in less driving while more people opt for Public transportation. All the public transportation such as subways, buses, commuter rail, light-rail systems and Amtrak systems reported increases in passenger load in that same year. The cause of lower death rates due to higher gas prices is hardly a good reason and the NHTSA need to formulate good policy measures and preventive action plan to counter future road accidents with the ever rising population using American roads. The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) issue the leading cause of deaths in the United States in 2005 as follows:
Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.
Heart disease: 652,091
Cancer: 559,312
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933
ACCIDENTS (unintentional injuries): 117,809
Diabetes: 75,119
Alzheimer’s disease: 71,599
Influenza/Pneumonia: 63,001
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 43,901
Septicemia: 34,136
Although the above statistics was dated 2005, it is still a useful indicator, placing “Accidents” on the 5th position as leading cause of death. Out of that figure, 43,667 or 37% were reported to be motor vehicle related deaths.
Now, let’s examine the leading causes of accident on the road. Traditionally, the Top 2 road deaths in the United States are associated with not wearing seat belt and driving under the influence of alcohol. NHTSA estimated that in 2007, 15,147 lives were saved by the use of seat belts. Stricter enforcement of seat belts in many states has also been a contributing factor towards lower fatality rates. Alcohol impaired driving that forms one third of road accident deaths have been one of the more difficult issue to tackle because most drivers do not plan ahead when it comes to having the night out in town.
Other leading causes of fatalities on the road include:
“Car surfing,” this means having a major part of a person body outside a moving vehicle while the car is moving. Most of such incident is among the teenage group. Bodily injury could result from incoming cars, braking or wild swing of the vehicle to the left or right. Other type of dangerous activities include leaning out of the window, sticking out arms and legs outside a moving vehicle.
Use of cell phone while driving means not having both hands on the steering wheel during emergency. This could be potentially dangerous due to lack of focus on the road.
Eating, applying make-up, operating the radio and playing loud music while driving could all lead to accidents.
“Rubbernecking,” or moving the vehicle slowly along side a just occurred road accident for curiosity sake can cause collision as the driver shift his/her attention away from road.
Free moving children, unrestrained animals and other distraction posed by other passenger inside a moving vehicle are tell tale signs of accident waiting to happen.
Flouting of traffic laws, speeding outside the speed limit and disregarding road signs
Driver falling asleep on the wheel by not stopping for a break while driving on a long journey.
More needs to be done especially deployment of enforcement during the weekend to curb drink driving and issuing summonses as a strict deterrent for repeat offenders. Advertising campaigns should also be increased encouraging would be drinkers to take public transportation or shared private transportation with friends or family members tasked with driving responsibility. Other factors leading to reduced fatality rate include technological improvement and safety feature in cars such as airbags. Cars that used to carry one air bag now carry as much as six. There are crumple zones to protect drivers and passengers. Most automakers have also implemented electronic stability control (ESC). ESC uses the speed sensors on each wheel and has the ability to brake individual wheel that form the basis of antilock brakes. ESC help drivers who loses control over their car when the vehicle goes in a direction different from the one indicated by the position of the steering wheel.
The author shares his passion for cars and trucks. His interest dates back to having his first job as a part-time car salesman more than 20 years ago. Since then he has shared his interest and knowledge among friends and family members. For information on the lowest auto insurance quotes, Richard recommends visiting: How to Save 45% on auto insurance
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