As we recently reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, we witnessed nearly 800 fatalities resulting from car accidents in Arizona throughout 2010. Our state saw nearly 110,000 car accidents during the year. While car accidents are a huge threat to residents of all ages, they serve as the number one cause of death for individuals aged 3- to 34-years-old. We always hear about these incidents being the number one cause of death for teenage drivers. But the truth of the matter is your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal traffic accident is alarmingly high regardless of age group.
Our Phoenix car accidents attorneys understand that traffic crashes are the third highest ranked cause of loss of life in the country. This means that these accidents account for the third highest incident calculated by the number of years that a resident reasonably had expected left to live, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).Top Causes for Deaths, Calculating by Years of Life Lost:
-Cancer
-Heart Disease
-Motor Vehicle Accidents
-Stroke
-Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
-Suicide
-Perinatal Period
-Diabetes
-Accidental Poisoning
-Homicide
As we get closer to Christmas and New Year’s, drivers are asked to be cautious on our roadways as the volume of traffic is expected to increase significantly with holiday travelers. An increase in traffic flow significantly increases your risks for a fatal accident.
Whether you’re in the warm and sunny Arizona weather or in a cold-weather climate, drivers are urged to consider the following safety driving tips from Tiiu Napp, a Phoenix Travel Photographer for the Examiner, to enjoy a safe and injury-free holiday.
Holiday/Winter Safe Driving Tips:
-Reduce speed and drive cautiously, even if you have a 4WD vehicle. Four-wheel drive means you can accelerate quicker, but not that you’re able to stop quicker.
-You should try to avoid stomping on the brake or making quick, sudden turns to help avoid losing traction with the road.
-Speed is the top cause for winter weather car accidents. Obey speed limits, or travel even slower, to get to your destination safely.
-Try not to tailgate. Vehicles have a tougher time stopping on ice and snow.
-Try not to use your cruise control. In inclement weather, it’s difficult to regain control of your vehicle if it spins out, hydroplanes or loses traction.
-Keep in mind that bridge roads freeze quicker than ground roads.
-If you’re uncomfortable driving in the current weather conditions, pull over and wait for the weather to improve. There’s no need to rush and jeopardize your safety.
As we mentioned earlier, car accidents are the number one cause of death for a large portion of residents in the state. Please be super careful on our roadways to avoid a potentially fatal accident. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a Phoenix car accident, call the Arizona accident attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us online or call 866-99-ABELS to speak directly to a lawyer today.
More Blog Entries:
NTSB Proposes Full Cell Phone Ban to Help Curb Car Accidents in Phoenix and Elsewhere, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, December 15, 2011
NHTSA Released New Reports Regarding 2010 Car Accidents in Arizona, Nation, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, December 11, 2011