Personal Injury Lawyer
Toledo | Youngstown | Akron | Columbus OH
Injured In A Car Accident?
Tell Them You Mean Business
Call Gervelis Law
866.622.4096 866.622.4096 330.533.6565 330.533.6565
Gervelis
Free Case Consultation

Auto Accident Fatalities More Likely to Occur on Local Roads Than Highways

Ohio auto accident attorneySafety is an issue on the mind of every Ohio driver. By learning more about the causes of traffic accidents, drivers and passengers can help implement safe driving habits which reduce the likelihood of being involved in an auto accident.

For example: Consumer Affairs reports that speed-related fatalities are more than three times more likely to occur on local roads than on highways. Drivers should therefore be particularly mindful of their speed when driving on local roads - especially on long stretches where it is easy to fall into "highway hypnosis."

Regardless of where an accident occurs, injury victims have the legal right to be compensated for their injuries and losses. An experienced car accident attorney will ensure that negligent parties are held responsible for the damage they cause.

Speeding: The Silent Killer

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, auto accidents involving speeding were responsible for more than 112,500 deaths on the roads of the United States between 2005 and 2014. This is almost equivalent to the number of people who died in alcohol-related car accidents during that same time period. Unfortunately, speeding has not received anywhere near the attention, media coverage, or activism afforded to the campaign against drunk driving. Speeding does not face the crucial social stigma that has helped to curb drunk driving in recent years. And yet, in a speeding-related crash, victims are more likely to sustain serious or fatal injuries.

So what can be done to address the problem of speeding? State laws can help address the problem on a regulatory level. O.R.C. 4511.21 mandates that motorists abide by the posted speed limit and maintain an assured clear distance of the vehicles ahead.

Photo enforcement technologies are also widely acknowledged to be effective at deterring speeding. The National Center for Biotechnology Information published a longitudinal review of studies which measured the efficacy of automated enforcement technology programs. Of twenty-eight studies reviewed, every single one reported a lower number of crashes after implementation of a speed enforcement technology program. Bloomberg reports that, despite the known success rates of such technologies, they are currently only used in fourteen states and the District of Columbia. Their efficacy has caused the National Transportation Safety Board to recommend that states remove laws which prohibit the use of such technologies.   

But real change will not occur until drivers accept personal responsibility for safe driving behaviors. This is, in fact, the very reason why photo enforcement is so effective: it holds drivers accountable for their speed. It is important for drivers to always be aware and cautious of their speed. Friends and family members should speak up when a driver's speed is not safe. While this can be an uncomfortable discussion, it is one that can save lives. Create a calm atmosphere of discussion in which no one is accused of being a "backseat driver."  Grassroots movements have been incredibly effective at targeting the problem of drunk driving, and these can be used to address speeding-related deaths. Consider joining a local advocacy group or campaigning to local politicians.

Teens, in particular, must establish safe driving habits early. Parents should make sure that their teens always follow laws pertaining to speeding, distracted driving, passenger occupancy, and other important safety rules. For more seasoned drivers, it is never too late to re-examine driving habits and commit to safer behavior on the road. Together, drivers can make the roads of Akron safer for everyone.

Categories: Posts