Per mile travelled, you're safer in urban areas than rural. In fact, the worst stats are for those states with the wide open spaces--except Utah, bless their tea totalling, Mormon livers.
"State impaired-driving laws have been enacted in all 50 States and the District of Columbia that make it illegal for a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or above to drive a vehicle. In 2008, the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate declined from 0.43 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2007 to 0.40 in 2008. In 2008, Montana had the highest alcohol-impaired fatality rate in the Nation – 0.84 fatalities per 100 million VMT while Vermont had the low-est rate in the Nation – 0.16 per 100 million VMT. In 2007, Montana had the highest alcohol-impaired fatality rates in the Nation – 0.93 – and Utah had the lowest alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate – 0.21 fatalities per 100 million VMT. Traffic safety facts"
And the man who probably saved more Americans from death by car crash was Robert McNamara of Kennedy/Vietnam fame and "inventor" of the seat belt. He was both safety and fuel conscious when not many others were.
- "Soon after taking over at the Ford Division in 1955, McNamara had gone way out on a limb by adding several safety devices to the 1956 model and then making them the focal point of the marketing campaign. By today’s standards it was a modest effort. The 1956 Ford’s five-part Lifeguard System included two standard features, a deep-dish steering wheel that gave way in a crash and safety latches that kept doors from springing open on impact. Three options also were offered: front seat belts anchored to a steel plate; a padded instrument panel and padded sun visors; and rearview mirrors with backing that reduced glass fallout when shattered. Also, the front and back seat supports were redesigned to reduce the possibility of their coming loose in a crash." American Heritage
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4 comments:
Great post. I am glad to see a decline in accidents. Just remember, it is most common to have an accident close to your home or an area you are familiar with - because you aren't paying complete attention - you're on auto pilot.
Great point. I think. And from the looks of the cell phone users I see close to home, I will be the victim.
oh, semi... I beg to differ. It's most common to have an accident close to your home or an area you are familiar with because that is where you most often are!
(This obviously does not apply to professional drivers who are more often away from home.)
It also reminds me of the old joke about the couple who read that most accidents happened withing two miles of home... so they moved.
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Statistically, drivers under age 18 are more likely to be in an accident, but I blame their parents.
As far as reaction times and capability, 15 year olds are more than capable of being safe drivers.
It's their judgment that is suspect and parents who cannot or refuse to adequately supervise and teach their children how to judge wisely are the culprits.
Though it's been near 20 years ago, my oldest daughter got her driver's license at 15 and her pilot's license at 16.
At age 18, the youngest daughter packed her car and drove 1200 miles away to college.
Not being a "fair" parent, my son's didn't get their licenses until after their 16th birthdays... girls do mature sooner than boys.
However, what I really wonder about is what has changed in the last 15-20 years that allowed my children to be more responsible at age 15 than most are now at 18? Or 20?
My father spouted off when my oldest daughter was in the 8th grade and showed him her straight A report card, that if she could get straight A's through high school that he would buy her a new car.
While he forgot he said that, she never did -- she got the straight A's and gave him her transcript upon graduation.
And he took her car shopping.
Have we, as parents, grandparents, extended families, given up on challenging our children to do their best? To strive for success? For self-reliance and independence?
while driving people don't who is in front of there ca, specially when they are drunk.
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