Automobile Deaths

Since New Years Eve is coming up the Washington Post has an article on the number of people killed in automobile accidents each year. The US loses about 44,000 people a year due to driving accidents. So in any given year you will have a 0.0126% chance of dieing in an automobile accident.

Of course if you are a teenager, talk on the cell phone, drink and drive or do drugs and drive, your chance goes up significantly.

Also, if you drive a Mini-Cooper your chance is also much higher. The laws of physics dictate that when an Hummer H2 and a Mini-Cooper meet in an accident, the Hummer will get a scratched bumper and the Mini will be heavily damaged.

Of course the author of the article, Peter Woolley, thinks the answer is to have stronger and slower cars, more government regulation and separate cars and trucks on the highway.

Well, for stronger and slower cars, think Hummer H1, its very safe and can survive an accident and isn't used in street racing too much. It also drinks gasoline in large quantities.

Separate cars and commercial trucks on the road. Ok, so we have to double the highway system so cars can have their lanes and trucks there's. Whose willing to give their homes so all these additional roads can be built?

More regulation?? Well he isn't specific on it so we know it means more work for regulators and most likely little safety for the rest of us.

Lets face it, traveling at 60 miles an hour is dangerous. If someone is so concerned about the human costs, they do not have to drive and can walk. Walking is much safer then driving after all. There are trade offs in life and as a society, we have felt that the benefits of fast travel outweighs the costs. At the individual level it can be very difficult. Losing a loved one to an accident is hard, however, as a society we have to decide if the cost being paid is worth it.

Some ideas:
1. When driving, limit cell phone and ALWAYS use hands free. If the call is that important, get off the road so you can concentrate on it.

2. Don't drink and drive.

3. Don't drive when too tired or on medication.

If these rules were followed the death rate on American highways would decline, especially among the newer drivers.