About Car Accidents

Whereas about 21,000 people die each year in the United States from gunshot wounds, car accidents claim the lives of 42,000 people. No one ever plans a car accident or means to hurt themselves or any of the 2.9 million people hurt annually in vehicle collisions. Here are some facts about car accidents that everyone who has a license--or is about to get one--needs to know.

Significance

Nearly 35 percent of all vehicle fatalities are the result of drinking alcohol and then driving. Two-thirds of the people who died were the drivers impaired by alcohol; the other third were innocent victims simply going about their business. When you drink and drive, no matter how skilled you think you are behind the wheel, you take a chance that is akin to playing Russian Roulette. Sadly, the gun has two barrels, one pointed at you, and one pointed at the unwitting people who share the road with you. When you drive, you are commanding a weapon that is twice as deadly as a gun.

Considerations

Almost 1 percent of the American population will be involved in a vehicle accident this year. The extent of those injuries are often determined by whether or not the occupants are wearing seat belts. While the occasional person does die as the result of a seat belt failure, or the inability to unlock a seat belt after a fire-producing crash, the fact is that secure cargo weathers crashes better than insecure cargo. In 65 percent of fatalities when a vehicle occupant is not wearing a safety belt, the fatality, and even injury, could have been avoided by simply using the safety belt.

Warning

Falling asleep at the wheel is a major cause of vehicle collisions. When you are tired, it only takes a moment to fall asleep, and doing so can be deadly to you, and to others sharing the road with you. A car traveling at 60 mph travels 1 mile every minute, or 88 feet per second. If you fall asleep for only 4 seconds, you will have traveled the length of a football field, and in a random direction. When you are tired, stop and rest. Slapping yourself, rolling the window down, singing with the radio, smoking a cigarette, shotgunning energy drinks or any of the other silly things tired drivers do to stay away is no substitute for stopping to rest.

Identification

Animal crossing signs mean it. About 1.5 million animals meet their end each year as the result of vehicle collisions. In about 150 of those cases, the humans in the cars are killed. Thousands more humans are injured from these sort of crashes. The Department of Motor Vehicles doesn't do safety training for animals; they expect that you will do your best to avoid the animals. Areas where there are crossing signs for animals are areas wherein it has been determined that animal traffic is higher than in other areas. While you always want to be on the lookout for wildlife, you should slow it down and maintain caution in areas where animals are known to roam.

Warning

Speed kills. A vehicle traveling at 60 mph will cover the distance of a football field in just over 3 seconds. With speed comes a loss of reaction time. You have less time between the time you see something and the time you have to respond to it. So, for those who like to open it up on the highway and want to get there fast, remember that speed is also the fastest way to the funeral parlor. The speed signs are there for a reason.

Resources

• Lots of Additional statistics on Car Wrecks, and Pictures of the aftermath.