Driving is the most dangerous activity that we do every day. We often write articles warning of the dangers of distracted driving. News and print outlets also publish materials providing the yearly statistics of fatalities behind the wheel. However, not much has changed the way people think about distracted driving.
However, our view on the matter might change, based on a new report issued on crash statistics by The Washington Post.
On July 21, 2019, The Washington Post reported that, since January 2000, more Americans have died in car crashes than in both World Wars I and II. To put this in perspective, 535,000 American military personnel died in World Wars I and II. More than 624,000 have died in car crashes. Further, more than 30,000,000 people were injured in those crashes.
Between 2006 and 2012, the opioid epidemic has killed 100,000. In that same timeframe, speeding, drunk, and distracted driving caused 190,455 deaths.
To say that we have a problem with distracted driving is an understatement. The National Transportation Safety Board commented that people are the biggest problem when it comes to eradicating distracted driving. “People don’t see it as a risk.” As a board member of the National Safety Council stated, “our public option research has repeatedly shown that people still believe these accidents will happen to someone else, but not to them.”
Based on these statistics, we can’t emphasize these tips enough:
1. Put the phone down! Your eyes should always be on the road.
2. Wear a seatbelt.
3. Don’t drink and drive. And for that matter, don’t treat your car as a mobile kitchen, office, or bathroom. Your main goal should be to drive.
These are common sense tips, but, as we’ve seen in the above article, (and from the statistics) they are often ignored, with fatal consequences. Don’t become the next statistic. Help us address this national crisis by encouraging all of your friends, family, and neighbors to practice safe driving skills.
You can check out the full Washington Post article here.
