Effective Strategies to Reduce Car Accident Fatalities and Injuries

The average person in a developed country has a 1 in 100-lifetime risk of being killed in a road traffic accident, and a 1 in 3-lifetime risk of being injured. These statistics are part of the motivation behind the ambitious goal set by the United Nations in its 2015 Agenda for Sustainable Development to halve the global number of car accident fatalities and injuries by the year 2020.

Sadly, we are not meeting this goal of reducing car accident fatalities and injuries on a national level in the United States. For example, there was a 5.6% jump in road crash deaths from 2015 to 2016. However, there are many individuals and communities working hard to improve the safety of our roads. By practicing defensive driving, maintaining our vehicles, and demanding better of our communities, cities, and states, we should be able to reduce car accident fatalities and injuries, and finally make good progress on our Road to Zero.

What Can Individuals Do to Reduce Car Accident Fatalities and Injuries?

Reducing car accident fatalities and injuries is a collective responsibility, and individuals play a pivotal role in enhancing road safety. By being proactive and making conscious decisions while driving, each person can contribute to a culture of safety on the roads.

Whether through adopting safe driving habits, staying informed about vehicle maintenance, or educating others, individuals have the power to make significant changes in figures related to car accident fatalities and injuries. This section will outline practical strategies that can be implemented in everyday life to help mitigate the risks associated with road travel and ultimately save lives.

Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving involves being aware of your surroundings and anticipating potential hazards on the road. This can include maintaining a safe following distance, checking mirrors frequently, and scanning the road ahead for sudden stops or unexpected obstacles. Courses in defensive driving can also provide additional techniques for responding effectively to other drivers’ actions.

The practice has been popularly described as “driving as if everyone else around you on the road is drunk,” and this idea can really inspire a driver to give the road their full attention. There is not a settled list of behaviors that define defensive driving, but a lot of the following habits are typically included:

• Watch your speed
• Watch your lane position
• Watch out for pedestrians, bikes, scooters, and children
• Do not tailgate; maintain a safe following distance and follow the “Two Second Rule”
• Look for assured clear distance ahead
• Do not drive aggressively
• Watch out for red light runners
• Be a courteous driver and yield to others
• Look both ways before entering an intersection
• Use turn signal when making lane changes and turning
• Stop for 3 seconds at stop signs and avoid rolling stops

Essentially, defensive driving includes safe, law-abiding behavior and common sense. Stay focused, drive cautiously, obey signs, and encourage this behavior to your friends and loved ones. If we all consistently did these things, there would be far fewer car accident fatalities and injuries every year.

Wear Your Seat Belt

The number one step that can be taken to reduce your chance of being killed in a car accident is to always wear a seat belt. Estimates at an increased chance of survival due to proper seat belt use are 45 to 65%.

Anytime you are in the car you should be belted and do make sure anyone else driving with you is also wearing his or her belt. Texas seat belt laws fall under the primary enforcement category, meaning you can be stopped by a police officer for this offense alone, and you may be dealing with up to $200 in fines and court costs. It is illegal to ride in the front or backseat of a car without a seat belt, but beyond just risking a ticket or citation, you are risking people’s lives when you drive this way.

Obey Traffic Laws

Adhering to traffic laws is crucial for maintaining safety on the roads, as these regulations are designed to protect everyone. This includes following posted speed limits, which are established based on road conditions and surrounding environments to minimize the risk of accidents. Stopping at red lights and stop signs is essential to prevent collisions at intersections, where visibility may be limited.

Additionally, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks is not only a legal requirement but also a vital part of ensuring that those on foot can cross safely. Recognizing and respecting these laws not only protects the driver but also safeguards the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, fostering a safer and more responsible driving culture for all road users.

Ditch Dangerous Driving

Dangerous driving behaviors, such as distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, can lead to devastating car accident fatalities and injuries. Individuals should avoid using their phones while driving, refrain from engaging in road rage, and always designate a sober driver if they plan to consume alcohol. Some dangerous driving behaviors to avoid include:

• Drunk Driving – Drunk driving is the number one cause of car accident deaths. Never drive while you are under the influence, and don’t let your loved ones take this risk either.
• Drowsy Driving – Driving while you are extremely fatigued and in need of sleep is an extremely risky behavior. This danger is frequently associated with truck drivers who are pressured to cover as many miles as possible, as fast as possible. Pushing past your limit can have terrible consequences, and studies have shown that being awake for just 17 hours can have a similar effect on your body to a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.05%.
• Distracted Driving – Texting and driving has been a growing problem in the past few years, especially with the increasing ubiquity of the smartphone. Drivers distracted by their messages, apps, maps, and music cause over 1.6 million crashes annually in the US. Texas alone had 404 fatalities in 2017 caused by texting and driving.
• Be Careful in Dangerous Conditions – Bad weather is a contributor to 11% of fatal traffic accidents. But snow and thunderstorms, with their poor visibility and slick or icy roads, are not the only contributors to treacherous conditions. Construction can kick up debris, add chaos to your surroundings by confusing other drivers, demand unexpected slowing or stops, or divert lanes. Heavy traffic is another factor that is cause for concern. The stress of the situation and the saturation of vehicles can bring out aggressive and reckless tendencies in some drivers that can result in crashes.
• Get Regular Inspections – Keeping your car in ideal working order through regular professional check-ups can help prevent dangerous and deadly mechanical failures. Heed warnings and recall notices that you receive about your car. Recall information can be found simply by searching your car’s VIN. Cars are expensive, powerful, heavy machinery, and if yours is not operating properly, you are endangering yourself and those around you. Do yourself a favor by taking the time and taking the care to properly maintain your vehicle in good, safe working order.
• Maintain Visibility – Beyond professional inspections, take your own steps to ensure that your call is well-maintained. Avoid being in one of the over 3,400 accidents that occur in Texas yearly due to impaired visibility. Keep headlight and taillight bulbs lit, replace worn out wiper blades, and keep windows and mirrors clear of obstruction. If you have safety systems built into your car, take advantage! Back up cameras and sensors, blind-spot mirrors or other specialty technology should all be kept in good working order to boost your ability to see all of your surroundings while you drive.

What We Can Do On a Community, City, and State Level to Reduce Road Fatalities?

Addressing road safety requires a collective effort at the community, city, and state levels to implement sustainable changes that can significantly impact car accident fatalities and injuries. Local governments and organizations can initiate programs aimed at enhancing infrastructure, increasing public awareness, and enforcing traffic regulations.

Improve Signage

City planners, engineers, and other construction professionals are responsible for designing and building successful city infrastructures. Small neighborhood streets may require only foot-long street signs and notices of bicyclists or children at play.

Major interstate highways need much larger signs that are visible far enough in advance for drivers to react accordingly, and to direct people unfamiliar with the road to the proper lanes in plenty of time. Confusing merges and intersections should be assisted with sign communication to help drivers safely and efficiently navigate the area. Proper signage warning drivers about the road environment can save lives.

Improve Design for Roads and for Cars

Investing in safer road design is fundamental to reducing car accident fatalities and injuries. This includes adding more crosswalks, improving lighting at intersections, and creating dedicated bike lanes. Communities can also implement traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps or road narrowing, to promote safer driving practices in residential areas.

Vast technological and engineering improvement has occurred in both roads and cars in recent years, but there are always potential updates for antiquated designs and technological innovations to be created. One study presented research showing that road crash deaths might be mitigated by as much as 20% of all vehicles were fully in compliance with national safety recommendations.

In addition, it supported that lowering bumpers on cars and creating “home zones” where roads are uniquely equipped with lower speeds and non-motorist safety measures particularly for non-motorists, could also greatly contribute to the avoidance of injury and fatality by a motor vehicle collision.

Improve Emergency Preparedness

The vast majority of motor vehicle accident deaths occur in the hour immediately following the crash – so on the scene or on the way to the hospital. Cities and hospitals are constantly working to improve the efficiency of their emergency response, but there is still improvement to make. Training first responders in techniques to reach the scene and address the situation as quickly and successfully as possible is paramount in eliminating those critical minutes victims spend waiting to reach an emergency room.

Implementing Traffic Safety Campaigns

Public awareness campaigns can educate citizens about the importance of road safety, and the prevalence of car accident fatalities and injuries. These campaigns should utilize various media outlets to reach a broad audience, highlighting the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, the necessity of seatbelt use, and the importance of obeying traffic laws.

Stricter Enforcement of Traffic Laws

Law enforcement plays a crucial role in promoting road safety and reducing car accident fatalities and injuries. Increasing the visibility of traffic enforcement can deter dangerous behaviors such as speeding and driving under the influence. Communities can also encourage the establishment of sobriety checkpoints during peak times for alcohol-related incidents.

Promoting Safe Routes to School

Collaboration between schools and local governments can facilitate the development of safe walking and biking routes for students. This initiative not only promotes physical activity but also ensures children’s safety as they travel to and from school.

Connecting with Local Advocacy Groups

Engaging with advocacy groups focused on road safety can amplify efforts to reduce car accident fatalities and injuries. These organizations often provide resources, information, and support for local initiatives aimed at improving transportation safety, establishing coalitions that press for necessary legislative changes.

Was One of Your Loved Ones Injured or Killed in a Tragic Car Accident?

Tragically, despite our best efforts to make safe choices on the road, deadly accidents do still happen all the time. This is especially true in Texas, which accounts for about 10% of the traffic fatalities in the entire United States every year. After losing a loved one in one of these accidents, it is important that you receive justice for your suffering and loss, and compensation for your troubles and challenges.

Reach out to an experienced Texas car accident lawyer who is dedicated to fighting for justice after a wrongful death. Thompson Law’s track record of success shows the passion that Ryan Thompson and his team have in fighting for their clients. After a terrible loss, focus on your health, make time for the people you care about, and leave the hard work of fighting insurance companies and those at-fault to Thompson Law.

If you have been in a serious car accident or have lost a loved one in a tragic crash, there are resources available to you. Working with an experienced car accident attorney during this challenging time can be a tremendous help. There is so much to handle in the aftermath of an auto accident. Medical visits for injuries to survivors, vehicle repair or replacement, funeral arrangements, and taking care of your family all take tremendous time and energy. Working with a professional accident attorney can relieve you of some of these responsibilities.

The experts at Thompson Law can provide legal guidance, assist you in navigating the process of treatment, and help you make the insurance demands associated with your claim. If it comes down to it, Ryan Thompson is prepared to fight your battle in court to make sure you receive your maximum just compensation for your ordeal.

Call anytime 24/7/365 for a free consultation about your accident. Our team is standing by ready to help after your family suffers car accident fatalities and injuries.