Risks when driving according to the NHTSA
Not wearing the Seat Belt.
In 2021 more than 26,320 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic accidents. About 50% of them were not buckled up, even though it only takes 2 seconds to buckle up, they didn’t.
Why you should wear your seat belt correctly:
- Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, while failure to buckle up can result in a total ejection from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always fatal.
- Airbags are not enough to protect you; in fact, the force of an airbag can seriously injure or even kill you if you are not buckled up, and they are designed to work together.
- Improper seat belt use, such as placing the belt under your arm or behind your back, puts you and your children at risk in a crash.
- Even if you are pregnant, you should wear a seat belt, it is the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child in a traffic accident.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving after drinking is fatal. However, it still continues to happen throughout the United States. If you drive while under the influence of alcohol, you could be arrested, or worse, be involved in a car crash causing serious injury or death.
About 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 or higher). In 2021, 13,384 people died in these crashes. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2012 to 2021, about 10,850 people were killed each year in drunk driving crashes.
Driving drunk or drunk is illegal in all states of the country; however, during the year 2021 in the United States there was one death every 39 minutes due to a crash cause to drive under the influence of alcohol.
The consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol range from misdemeanors to felonies, and the penalties for driving under the influence can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time.
Also, it is quite expensive. A driver who commits a first-time offense can expect to pay more than $10,000 in fines and legal fees.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that takes attention away from driving, including talking or texting on your phone.
Likewise, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, or adjusting your stereo or navigation and entertainment systems, anything that makes you divert attention from the task of driving safely.
The most alarming distraction is texting. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. Going 55 mph, it’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any activity you engage in, other than driving, is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
For more information on Driving Risks go to: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) https://www.nhtsa.gov/
In conclusion, being a responsible driver is everyone’s obligation and being insured is a responsible action in our society.
Remember, if you need insurance we can help you and we will quote you your best option.