The local news in my hometown, paints a picture that nearly every accident involves DWII. Where as the Oregon Drivers Manual (pg.32) states in bold letters: "....that the number ONE cause of accidents is vehicles following too close together."
So who is right? Or is it just more "sexy" to report in the media that accidents where caused by one or more of the drivers boozing?
2006-09-05 15:59:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Approximately 26,500 people died in non-alcohol-related US traffic accidents according to 2005 info on the NHTSA website.
An additional 17,000 traffic deaths were alcohol-related.
Also, 55% of vehicle occupants killed were unrestrained.
2006-09-05 16:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by luminous 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The number one cause is: Driver inattention. Virtually all drunk drivers fall under this mantle as well. Alcohol figures in about 2/3 of all fatal accidents. Actual drunk driving figures in about 40% of all fatal accidents.
Following too close probably figures in most rear-ender accidents, though alcohol will be at least a contributory factor in many of those.
2006-09-05 23:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are talking about two different things here. The number one cause of accidents may well be following too closely, but alcohol is the number one reason for FATAL accidents.
Contrary to popular belief, if it not the hard-core alcoholics who cause the majority of traffic deaths. It is people who party only occasionally, the ones called "amateurs" by the hard core drinkers.
2006-09-05 23:08:59 · answer #3 · answered by GreenHornet 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The number one caue of accidents is NOT PAYING ATTENTION! Following too closely + not paying attention = CRASH. Talking on the cell phone, eating, drinking, shaving, doing hair, painting nails, reading, writing, watching a movie, smoking, etc = NOT PAYING ATTENTION! Cars are not toys, and they still don't drive themselves.
I would think that in Oregon, driving too closely would lead to hydroplaning in a panic stop. Maybe it's the Californians who still wear their sunglasses there when it's raining!
2006-09-06 09:46:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NSF says the main cause of accidents is drivers not paying attention. Boozing is sexier than cell phones.
2006-09-06 02:12:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd def. go with the Oregon driver's manual. that sounds much more realistic, as following too close can cause fender benders and such, whereas drunk driving accidents almost always cause severe injury or death.
2006-09-05 23:08:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
About 40,000 to 50,00 people die on the nation's roads at any given year. This is why cops seem to act like jerks when they pull you over when most of us feel they should be solving real crimes. More people are killed in traffic crashes in one year than people killed in other violent crimes. I'm not a cop either.
2006-09-05 23:07:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its to many regardless, if the number was 1, just to many folks die in vehicle wrecks always have always will , how do ya figure leading cause of teen deaths is vehicle wrecks CNN news
2006-09-06 02:53:33 · answer #8 · answered by Mechanical 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i dont know were that idiot got its information from and put it in that manual but i do know that every 17 minutes a drunk driver causes a person to be handy caped.
2006-09-05 23:03:58 · answer #9 · answered by Pinecrapple 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋