Most California drivers have heard it all before: wear a seatbelt, stay away from cell phones and pay attention when operating a vehicle. Yet when many jump behind the wheel, safety precautions often fly out the window. While a number of distractions have long been a threat on America’s roads, some safety tips and current discussions on new technologies can give insight on preventing crashes in the future.
Again, while a large majority of Americans are aware that car crashes make up the leading cause of death across various demographics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supplies additional information on car accidents in the state and ways to prevent them. Between 2003 and 2012, car crashes claimed the lives of 23,125 California drivers. More specifically, the CDC shares that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among Americans for the first three decades of their lives. Although the report provided in the CDC’s brochure shows that 96 percent of Californians wear seatbelts, the study may not reflect a crystal-clear picture of seatbelt use in the state. Nevertheless, wearing a seatbelt can make a significant impact on the outcome of an accident.
The statistics may reveal a grim outlook on car accidents in the country, but what can the average driver do to prevent such an unfortunate event from happening? The Drive highlights the role safety technology has played in helping prevent crashes over recent years, countering the popular argument that safety devices make cars more distracting, and thus dangerous. Backing up their claims using data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, The Drive goes on to state that safety systems have actually reduced the number of accidents since making their debut in newer model cars. Some researchers even believe that the number of crashes could have been drastically reduced in the past, had drivers had access to these devices. Whether or not California drivers are considering jumping onboard the technology trend in vehicles, practicing everyday safety measures can allow for all the more fun on that next road trip.
