Breaking Down Major Driving Hazards

It is one of our missions here at Hastings & Hastings to improve the safety of our Arizona streets. Every year hundreds of thousands of accidents occur. This lead to the deaths of over 30,000 people on average. Thousands and thousands more suffer from major, sometimes life-changing injuries. Hastings & Hastings would like to see a world where accidents disappear forever! As difficult as that sounds, it may one day be possible. In today’s blog, we are going to learn about some of the more major driving hazards facing us on a daily basis.

1. Cell Phones

Every year more and more collisions are attributed to cellphones. According to the most recent statistic, cell phones cause an average of 24,000 injuries per year and well over 3,000 fatalities. These numbers are on the rise. Texting drivers are 8 times more likely to be involved in a collision. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of drivers admit to texting while driving.

2. Alcohol

Year in and year out, alcohol is THE leading cause of vehicle-related fatalities. On average, it takes the life of 11,000 people a year. Three children a day under the age of 18 are killed in accidents involving intoxicated drivers. A whopping 32 percent of traffic deaths can be directly attributed to intoxicated drivers.

3. Aggression and Road Rage

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s 2013 statistics show that 13,000 accidents a year and be linked to incidents of over-aggression or road rage. This is up 400 percent since 1990. The average age of an aggressive driver is between 18-26. These are accidents that are almost entirely preventable. Hastings & Hastings implores all drivers to exhibit kindness and patients when out on the road. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, take a deep breath and count to ten.