Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that in 2017 and 2018, Louisiana saw 770 and 768 traffic fatalities per year, respectively. This is in addition to the thousands of non-fatal injuries suffered by car accident victims.
For all the progress that has been made in motor vehicle safety and efficiency, the biggest risks we face on the road are often the choices and behaviors of other drivers. In other words, the most dangerous road hazards are also the most preventable.
The Top Five Risk Factors for Crashes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading risk factors for injurious and fatal accidents are common problems and behaviors that persist despite laws and safety education campaigns to combat them. Here are the top five dangerous driver behaviors (nationally) and their contributions to fatal car accidents in 2018:
- Speeding (17 percent of fatalities)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication (10 percent)
- Failure to stay in one’s lane (7.2 percent)
- Failure to yield the right of way (7 percent)
- Distracted Driving (5.2 percent)
Summer is an Especially Dangerous Time
With the Covid-19 pandemic and everything else currently dominating the national news, it’s safe to say that 2020 is not a normal or typical year. That being said, summer is generally a more dangerous time to be on the road, and this summer is likely no exception. There is a false sense of security that comes with warm, dry weather and more hours of daylight. People also tend to travel more during the summer months, and teen drivers are more likely to get behind the wheel now that school is out.
As you travel by car this summer (or even commute to work each day), please be especially aware of your own driving behaviors and stay alert to the hazards posed by other drivers. And if you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your rights and legal options.