by Randall Bullard

Created on: November 12, 2009

Reckless driving is a leading cause of accidents on the highways of the United States. Whether an intentional act brought about by speeding or driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, reckless driving continues to claim lives of people in the United States at an alarming rate. 2008 accident data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration demonstrate an improvement in statistics relating to fatalities, seat belt use, and alcohol-related fatalities. Although overall fatalities have decreased, accidents continues to burden society with the economic costs associated traffic accidents estimated to be $230.6 billion in 2002. Most disturbing of all, the numbers for vehicle related fatalities demonstrates that vehicle fatalities is the leading cause of young people in the United States.

In 2006 vehicle accidents accounted for the most deaths for every age group from 3 through 34 years old with NHTSA data revealing that accidents in 2008 resulted in the deaths of 37,261 people. On average, 102 people died each day in motor vehicle crashes in 2008. Despite these numbers, U.S. highways saw an overall decrease in traffic fatalities in 2008. A large portion of the accidents recorded in the United States each year are a result of reckless acts that were preventable.

Speeding-related crashes account for $40.4 billion in economic costs each year and claimed 11,674 lives in 2008. NHTSA data shows that 37 percent of males between 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal accidents were speeding and speeding-related accidents accounted for 31 percent of fatal crashes in 2008. Driving while intoxicated continues to claim lives in the United States, especially when impaired driving and speeding offenses are intermingled. In drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or more 41 percent were speeding in 2008 when involved in fatal crashes according to NHTSA statistics. Alcohol-related fatalities contributed to 32 percent of fatalities in 2008; however, the 11,773 lives lost represent a 6 percent decrease in alcohol-related fatalities from 2007.

The decrease in traffic fatalities provides hope for continued progression towards fewer accident-related fatalities in coming years; however, reckless driving remains an issue to be overcome. The statistics on speeding and alcohol-related fatalities on U.S. highways continues to be a problem even as the numbers improve. With a continued effort to educate drivers about the danger of spending and driving while intoxicated, hopefully the downward trend in recent accident data portrays an accurate expectation that a further decrease in accident-related fatalities will continue.

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