Avoiding a Nightmare

Guest Post:

One of the defining factors of growing up is getting a driver’s license. It grants a certain level of independence and usually means that children aren’t children anymore.  But with this defining little card comes a whole lot of responsibility. It also means a whole lot of parental worrying. This is because motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States today.

In 2009, when the most recent figures for motor vehicle accidents in the U.S were released, 10.8 million accidents took place on our roads. When put like that, it’s a rather worrying figure indeed. Luckily, not all motor vehicle accidents end in death, but the amount of accidents that do end in this way is still startling.

Passenger cars leap to the highest number of auto deaths per year, in 2009, 131,000 people were killed. Although less significant 600 people were killed in large truck crashes, which a small number but they can be the more gruesome accidents. With most accidents come legal issues and action such personal injury lawyers for things like 18 Wheeler Crashes.

If we look at the individual states, California has the highest rate of fatalities within 30 days of an accident and had 3 081 fatalities during 2009. Florida followed with 2 558 fatal road accidents and Georgia came third with 1 284 of the road accidents ending in death.

The states that have the lowest fatality figures are Washington DC with only 29 during the entire year and Alaska, with 64 fatal accidents. These figures are surprisingly low, and perhaps reassuring to those living in these states, but that still doesn’t mean that the open freeways are a safe place for anyone to drive along these days.

For parents, the most worrying part of all these statistics will probably be that the largest amount of car motor vehicle crashes are caused by young people aged between 16 and 24. So how do you prevent your child getting involved in a fatal road accident?

There are a few simple tips to remember to avoid road accidents. Follow these yourself and recite them to your children as they grow up driving with you in the car. For example, slow down. There is no need to speed along the freeways or the suburbs. Rather make sure that you’re on time to avoid having to drive fast.

Rather than defending you position in traffic to someone that’s driving recklessly near to you, make space for that person to pass. This will keep you out of danger. It’s also very important not to tailgate and to use your indicators correctly so that the cars around you will know what you’re planning to do.

Teach your kids from a young age to fasten their seatbelts and remember to fasten yours as well. Do this even when you’re just dropping them off down the road from the house. Also remember to always keep a clear mind, avoid distractions and try not to drive when you’re too tired or when the weather is bad.

If you teach yourself and your children to drive defensively rather than aggressively, then you’ll avoid becoming a statistic and you can rest assured that the kids will be competent drivers when the day finally arrives.