|  | Public Health Safety | Driving Safely

Leading Causes of Traffic Deaths

Traffic fatalities, according to the World Health Organization, rank ninth in cause of death worldwide. The WHO projects that by 2020, 1.9 million people will die each year in traffic accidents. Automobile fatalities are the top cause of death worldwide for people aged 15 to 29, exceeding the annual toll of wars, famine and disease in this age range. With this in mind, it is important to know what behaviors cause these accidents in order to avoid them.

  1. Speeding

    • According to the ArcaMax website, speeding is the main cause of traffic-related deaths. However, this does not necessarily involve exceeding the posted speed limit. While the posted limit is a suitable reference point, other conditions, such as road size, quality, weather conditions and the type of car are all variables that need to be considered. For example, if the speed limit is 50 mph, traveling at that pace may be fine on a clear day. However, a snowstorm would make that much more unsafe.

    Drugs and Alcohol

    • Impaired driving is next on the list. Common sense would dictate that if a driver's judgment or reaction time is impaired, the chances of a fatal accident are much greater. In the U.S. the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 percent in most states. The exceptions are Delaware, Colorado and Minnesota, where the limit is 0.10 percent. However, even a blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent can be hazardous.

    Seat Belt Neglect

    • Not wearing a seat belt is another leading cause of traffic deaths. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of injury by up to 50 percent. By not wearing a seat belt, drivers and passengers are vulnerable from every direction. Seat belts are quite effective in protecting the front of a person's body, which is the area most often affected during a crash.

    Fatigue

    • Fatigue takes fourth place when it comes to causing fatal accidents. Fatigue can affect anyone, but there are several factors that are a catalyst for these accidents. Things like shift work can affect a driver's sleep pattern, leading them to fall asleep at the wheel. Medical disorders, such as narcolepsy, are also responsible, as is the use of alcohol or certain medications.

    Gender and Age

    • The ArcaMax website explains that young male drivers all over the world are the most likely demographic to be involved in fatal accidents. Specifically, the risk is three times more likely among males aged 16 to 20, as opposed to drivers who are 25 years old or older. The reason for this is that younger drivers are less mature and experienced, which can lead to overconfidence and reckless thrill-seeking.

Driving Safely - Related Articles