By Chris Bortz
Annually, about
60,000 crashes occur in Kansas. This equates to more than 150 crashes each day
in the state. Four of the top five contributing circumstances listed on the
crash report are driver-related behaviors. The contributing circumstances
surrounding a crash are typically: speeding, too fast for conditions, failure
to yield at a stop sign or stop light, following too closely, texting and/or
other distraction. All these factors are
100 percent preventable. The decisions that every driver makes not only impact
themselves and their passengers, but everyone else on the road.
Using the word
‘crash’ instead of accident more accurately identifies the event - it doesn’t
give the perception that no one was at fault.
The word ‘accident’ implies no one was at fault or that the event
couldn’t have been prevented. That is a pretty hard pill to swallow if you were
the victim in a crash and the other driver was going too fast for conditions
and/or was distracted.
You may have noticed
that I didn’t include the circumstance of ‘impaired or drunk’ in the paragraph
above. Choosing to drive impaired is a horrible, conscious decision and the
ramifications of this decision lead to around 100 deaths, 1,300 injuries and
2,300 crashes in this state every year. In Kansas, You Drink, You Drive, You
Lose.
I don’t believe that
people get behind the wheel and say, “I think I will injure or kill someone in
a car crash today.” Just because it was not intentional, doesn’t mean it
couldn’t have been prevented. Most
drivers rate themselves as great drivers and will say the problem is the other
driver(s). However, driving is a privilege, not a right. You are sharing the
road with all drivers and it is important for you to drive as if your life
depends on it. Oh wait, it just might.
On the Drive to Zero fatalities, you are in the driver’s
seat.
Chris Bortz is the Traffic Safety Manager at KDOT
Great information Chris. Thank you for reminding us that everyone must be alert and to others you are the "other driver".
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris for this message! Drivers need to be held accountable for what they do behind the wheel and this is a great reminder that poor decisions aren't "accidents." Also, the "Drive like your life depends on it" comment is a perfect way to describe how important it is for drivers to pay attention and understand that others are on the road as well. Crashes are preventable and it's up to us to remain focused while driving.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true - almost all crashes are not accidents. Thanks for sharing, good information to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat message. Hopefully more drivers will start to get it. Also pretty intense photo.
ReplyDelete