A March 2018 survey of traffic behavior and attitudes in the United States has claimed that self-reported phone use while driving has skyrocketed since 2013. Ironically, the research also reveals that the vast majority of the people who were surveyed consider distracted driving to be a major danger for everyone on the road. Drivers across New York are at greater risk of a collision if they are distracted by their mobile devices while driving.
Causes of death in drunk driving accidents
Even New York residents who don't drive should be wary of drunk motorists. These reckless drivers present a danger to pedestrians, city buses and everyone on the streets. In fact, drunk driving is involved in one-third of all traffic accident fatalities. Fatal car accident injuries can occur due to a number of factors, including the severity of the injury and the time it takes for emergency responders to arrive.
Car accidents and the injuries they cause
Different types of injuries will arise from a car accident, with the severity depending on factors like speed, impact location, and the presence of safety features. New York drivers will want to know, or relearn, the types of injuries that occur and how.
Marijuana holiday may be linked to fatal car crash increase
For marijuana users in New York and the rest of the U.S., April 20 is an unofficial holiday. This means an increase in marijuana use on and around April 20, even in states where recreational marijuana is illegal. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana impairs driving skills, so it's not unnatural to link the holiday with more accidents.
Stopping distracted driving can involve technical solutions
The threat posed by distracted driving can be a major danger for New York motorists. The ubiquitous presence of smartphones has meant that texting while driving, emailing and using other apps are constant distractions. In fact, a number of experts on safety have cautioned that the apparent ongoing increase in fatal car accidents in recent years is linked to the growing popularity of smartphones. Of course, however, smartphones aren't the only cause of driving distractions; even the car's own built-in navigation and entertainment systems can divert a driver's eyes.
NTSB report proposes ways to discourage speeding
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, speeding is the main cause behind the increase in traffic deaths in New York and across the U.S. The agency has released a report showing how 31 percent of all traffic fatalities from 2005 to 2014 were the result of speeding. The number of fatalities (112,580) was second only to the number of drunk driving deaths (112,948).
President's proclamation urges impaired driving prevention
New York residents should know about the dangers of impaired driving; even one alcoholic beverage can affect driving performance and increase the risk of an accident. There is no better time to raise awareness of this than the holiday season, which is partly why President Trump has signed a proclamation designating December 2017 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
Pokémon Go: distracting drivers since 2016
Pokémon Go, the smartphone-based game that caused a sensation back in 2016, was a factor in many accident cases across New York and the rest of the U.S., as players became so distracted by the game that they injured themselves and others. Though the game has been waning in popularity, the first few months of its existence remain a testimony to the dangers of distracted driving.
Study finds that drivers with ADHD are more likely to crash
New York motorists and parents who have children getting ready to drive may be interested to learn that adolescents who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are 36 percent more likely to become involved in a car crash. However, research indicates that the risks surrounding young drivers with ADHD are manageable.
How night shift workers risk drowsiness on the road
In New York and the rest of the U.S., drowsiness caused by night shifts and rotational shifts has become a public health hazard. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital have conducted a study to determine how shift work can lead to poor driving performance and sometimes accidents.
