Reckless Drivers

We have all witnessed reckless drivers speeding past us faster than a bullet, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, and blatantly ignoring traffic laws. Unfortunately, these drivers are not just aggravating, they are a safety hazard. Reckless driving is responsible for almost 33% of all car accidents in America.

Statistics

With over 6 million car accidents and 40,000 car related fatalities per year, you would think that American drivers would be more conscientious about their driving habits. The most frustrating part of these statistics is discovering that a substantial number of accidents, injuries, and deaths could have been avoided had the drivers been paying full attention to their driving. According to reports,

o Approximately 25% of all drivers reported having been in an accident in the last 5 years
o More than 3 million people are injured in car accidents each year, and over 2 million of these injuries are permanent
o In more than half of all car related fatalities, the occupants were not wearing their seatbelt
o 25% of car wrecks occurred while a driver was talking on the phone
o For people between the ages of 1 and 30 years old, car accidents are the leading cause of death

Examples of Reckless Driving

Not all drivers who fail to abide by traffic and safety laws are reckless. A negligent is someone who knowingly violates traffic laws; however, a negligent driver does not become reckless unless he or she puts someone in serious danger or causes injury or bodily harm to another party. Examples of reckless driving include:

o Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
o Racing
o Running red lights, stop signs, or accelerating through yellow lights/warning signs
o Ignoring or disregarding rail road crossing signals
o Tailgating
o “Tapping” or nudging another vehicle while moving
o Weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds
o Excessive speeding
o Any dangerous violation of traffic laws

Prevention

Sadly, young males between the ages of 16 and 25 are the most prone to reckless driving behavior. In order to deter your child from becoming a reckless driver, speak to him/her about the risks of violating traffic laws. Additionally, if you suspect your child is not ready for the responsibility of driving, consider prolonging his or her driving privileges.

For more information on reckless driving, contact the Rhinelander car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.