I understand that approximately 50,000 people EVERY year are killed on the American highways. True?

Question

Annually...? Such tragedy continues to go without our politicians up in arms with each party attacking each other for incompetence? 3,000 approx each for the 911 and Iraq and just think of the slanderous things they call each other. Where is the outrage over our dangerous highway systems?

Answer 1

Regretfully, it is very close to true. Our highway systems, however aren't the problem. The problem is people not realizing that your driving skills are impaired when you take drugs or drink alcohol. People don't realize that driving, especially at high speeds requires their full attention. They can't be gabbing on the phone or getting something out of the back seat. They have to keep an eye out for other drivers who may be coming into their path.
Too many drivers believe they are the greatest and invincible.
It doesn't matter if they are Democrat, Republican or Independent.
Perhaps Senator Ted Kennedy would be interested in heading up a committee about why people have auto accidents which cost people their lives.

Answer 2

You get the outrage over dangerous highway systems from the people. Statistically the more one drives on average - the more one is going to be involved in a fatal accident.

Highways for the most part are not the problem in and of themselves - it is the driver behind the wheel.

Tail-gating (to close to another) e.g. less than 3 car lengths between them and the party in front, road rage, drunk drivers, drivers with medical conditions that suddenly occur, speeding, drag racing, and car chases stolen or not. etc...

If politicians were to seriously do anything about this to have less fatalities - the real solution would be to ban car manufacturers from making automobiles that go more than 5 -10mph faster than the posted highway speed limits. e.g say Montana has the highest posted speed limit 75mph in force. The car manufacturers (foreign or domestic) couldn't build a car that travels ANY faster then 5 - 10mph over it. Or no more than that limit for all cars in the country.

Law agencies need to go back to the old road rule from motor vehicles books. 1 car length for every 10mph one is traveling behind others.

Other than this - one can't do much about the other reasons, as one is no longer considered a witness simply by reporting most of the other offenses - as "The officers must see this for themselves." Before they take action.

Outside of this common sense should be the law and not a guideline.

Answer 3

I understand your obvious attempt at satire, but it is my duty to point out:

[quote] A preliminary report issued on April 20 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that there were 43,200 deaths on all of the nation’s highways—not just interstates—in 2005. That figure represents an increase over 2004, when 42,636 fatalities were recorded, and amounted to 1.46 deaths per 100 million VMT

Realize thats 100 Million Vehicle-Miles-Travelled, and so realize how much the highway system is used! I understand that you are trying to stir up support for the war, but its a false analogy to compare it to something so massive as the highway system.

Answer 4

I have been asking that for years Iam a retired driver trainer you wont believe the crap i took from teenagers.. This week here in BC female east indian farm workers killed in a van licenced to carry 15 had 17 ladies inside with only 2 seat bellts, yesterday safety checks were done and some vans. condemed order towed off the road these are farm labour contractors hurting people making less than mimimum wage

Answer 5

In 2002 there were 42,815, down 16% from 1997. 64% of the vehicles are made in foreign countries. I think Japan, China, Italy, France, GB and Spain are killing us without firing a shot.

However, 99.9999% of these were accidental deaths, stupid yes but still accidental; you can't say the same thing about those 62% murdered in the WTC attacks. What, the other 38%, oh, they were citizens of other countries.

Answer 6

Each day, there are more people killed in America
than in the Iraq war. No outrage from the media or
anti-American citizens.

Answer 7

well... see the thing is.... everyone drives... so, odds are... you're not going to die on the roads... some do, but most people play the odds every day and make it....

what were the odds for the peple in the towers that day? and the folks in Iraq?

which would you rather do... take a drive or go to Iraq?

it's really and apples to black holes comparison here...

but you're probably right... we should just forget about 9-11... what's the big deal... right? *sarcasm*

Answer 8

there are 27,000 Americans killed in car accidents each year related to Alcoholic drinking and driving. is that somethings. what a tragic human loss. can we re-think of of our social behaviors and how it can affect us. we need people to go out and be entertained and enjoy the night life, get together, and have drink. in a wider picture, shouldn't be concerned with the public safety on our high ways. so that half the number you mentioned in your question. are killed from alcoholic related car accidents.

Answer 9

It's being directed toward commercial truck drivers. They are being accused of being responsible for 10% of those deaths and nothing could be farther from the truth. But truth doesn't matter when there is an agenda to achieve.
The socialist/liberals are after them now but the rest of us are in their sights. You can believe that incrementalism is at work here.

Answer 10

I understand that 90 percent of statistics are made up on the spot. I think the roads are fine. Though, the people who maintenance them and drive on them are questionable.