vehicle accident occurs every second why? It is estimated that one motor vehicle accident occurs every second, which is over 350,000 per day. With the number of vehicles out there on the roadways at any given time, why does this happen so often? There are many factors that play into the number of accidents that occur each year. Some of these relate to drivers as well as other circumstances that come into play when driving a car or motorcycle.
Every Second of the Day
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 100 people being killed every day. Worldwide, there are 1.2 million road injury deaths per year: a number that has not changed significantly since 1990.
Motor vehicle accidents also account for approximately 30% of all emergency department visits in children under 15 years old, making them the leading cause of non-fatal unintentional injuries among children in this age group (followed by falls).
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?
It’s the #1 killer of teenagers.
It happens every second.
More than 32,000 people died in car crashes in 2017, and that number doesn’t include all the injuries sustained from those crashes.
In fact, about 2 million people are injured seriously enough to require hospitalization every year because of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).
These injuries can range from concussions or broken bones to severe brain damage and death by trauma. The cost for these injuries can be up to $99 billion each year!
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents and fatalities. According to the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety, “distracted driver behavior includes talking on cell phones, texting, eating or grooming while driving.” It is important to remember that you cannot assume other drivers see you or will react to your presence as quickly as you would if it were your car on the road. In addition, people who are not expecting an accident may have a delayed reaction when one does occur.
Motorcycles
The statistics on motorcycle accidents are alarming. Motorcycles are more likely than cars to be involved in accidents and fatalities, yet only about half of motorcyclists wear helmets. Moreover, many bikers have been drinking or using drugs and often ride without a license or insurance.
Motorcycle riders face different challenges than drivers of cars, including poor visibility and the inability to “hide” behind larger vehicles on the road. This makes it harder for other drivers to see motorcycles coming up behind them, and makes it more difficult for motorcyclists themselves to see hazards ahead such as potholes or low-hanging branches from trees. Additionally, motorcycles do not have seat belts that can restrain passengers during an accident; instead they rely on body strength alone which is often not adequate enough during a collision with another vehicle at high speeds (50 mph plus).
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is a serious problem. Alcohol impairs your ability to drive, which can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that there are more than 1 million drunk-driving crashes every year in the United States alone, that’s one every 53 seconds!
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is illegal in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia; however, many people still get behind the wheel after drinking too much alcohol. If you are going to drink alcohol with friends or family members during a social event such as Thanksgiving dinner, or any other time for that matter, don’t leave until you’re sure that everyone else has left safely first so they don’t have an accident on their way home from wherever they were drinking with you earlier in the day.”
Reckless Motorcyclists
Reckless driving is a broad term that encompasses a number of behaviors. Examples of reckless driving include:
- Failing to signal before changing lanes or stopping.
- Riding in the wrong lane on a highway.
- Driving at excessive speeds, particularly on highways or controlled-access roads (freeways).
- Making unsafe lane changes while driving at high speeds.
The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is other vehicles failing to yield right-of-way to motorcyclists who are exiting or entering traffic lanes or driveways. This can be avoided by simply making sure that all drivers know where you’re going and when you plan on moving into their space, so they aren’t startled when it happens!
Stay aware on the roads
- Pay attention to the road. Always wear a helmet, and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t drink and drive, text and drive or drive while tired. Be careful in bad weather and at night.
Driving distracted is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents
Do you know what is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents? The answer is driving distracted. Driving distracted can cause a lot of problems, including:
- accidents (which can lead to injury and death)
- property damage
- legal issues (like fines and jail time)
- financial issues
Drunk driving is dangerous
Drunk driving is a dangerous activity for many reasons. It causes thousands of accidents and injuries every year, often resulting in death or serious injury. Drunk drivers are also responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year around the globe.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drunk driving accounts for over 10,000 deaths annually in the United States alone, more than twice as many than all other forms of unintentional death combined (including car crashes, falls, burns and poisonings). Drunk driving is illegal everywhere in North America except some Native American reservations where they allow it to occur on tribal lands.
Speeding is dangerous
Speeding is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents. Speeding can cause injury and even death, and it is illegal in most states. If you speed, you are putting yourself in danger as well as others on the road. You may not only be fined for speeding but also held responsible if someone gets hurt because of your actions.
If you’re driving over 50 mph when the posted speed limit is less than 50 mph or higher than 55 mph then this would constitute reckless driving according to Florida Statutes 827.03(2) which reads: “A person who drives any vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for actual and potential hazards then existing shall be guilty of reckless driving.”
Motor Vehicle Accidents cause a lot of damage
Motor vehicle accidents cause a lot of damage. There are many injuries and fatalities. People are injured in motor vehicle accidents every day. People die in motor vehicle accidents every day. Motor vehicle accidents are not just tragic for those who are killed or injured in them; they also have a significant impact on everyone around those involved. The risk of being hurt or killed in an accident gets higher when you factor in other drivers on the road who might be distracted by electronics, drunk or drugged driving, speeding etc.. It’s important for all drivers to take care of themselves and others so that we can all continue making our way safely through traffic on our daily commutes.
Conclusion
As the number of accidents increases, so does the need for action to prevent them. There are many different factors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents. Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents and can include texting while driving or eating behind the wheel which can lead to drivers not noticing when they are approaching an intersection where there could be traffic coming from another direction. Impaired driving is also another problem that leads people onto our highways when they shouldn’t be behind the wheel in order to avoid harming others while riding motorcycles because they’re not wearing protective gear such as helmets or jackets that would provide some type of protection if something bad happens while riding without protection like leather jackets would give you.
