While this site acknowledges that alcohol plays a huge role in automobile accidents and we do not condone drinking and driving we also acknowledge that it is not the leading cause of accidents. We want policy makers to understand this as well.
A lot of media attention and government dollars go into awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence. Yet very little goes towards the awareness of the dangers of driving – period!
Statistic tables from the U.S. Census clearly state that, “A motor vehicle crash is considered to be alcohol-impaired if at least one driver involved in the crash is determined to have had a BAC of 0.08 g/dL or higher.” It continues to state, “The term alcohol-impaired does not indicate that a crash or fatality was caused by the presence of alcohol.” This means that while alcohol may have been a factor it may not be the cause.
Just Some Facts
Only 21.7% of drivers in 2007 involved in fatal crashes had a BAC of 0.08% or greater (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1076.pdf). While this is 21.7% more than there should be this is a relatively small number and does not mean these drivers actually caused the accident.
Kansas Department of Transportation 2008 statistics show the top five contributing factors in automobile accidents as follows.
- Failed to give full time and attention 26%
- Failure to yield the right-of-way 10%
- Too fast for conditions 9%
- Animal 9%
- Followed too closely 5%
The top five contributing factors are basic lack of attention to the seriousness consequences of not driving safe with exception of the animal factor. Yet these factors are not significant enough to warrant reckless driving charges.
Lawyer.com says the following about reckless driving…
Laws against reckless driving, or “reckless operation of a motor vehicle,” like laws against speeding or drunk driving (DUI or DWI), make such actions a crime and act to deter dangerous driving. Reckless driving differs because it involves a “willful” or “wanton” disregard for the safety of others.
Purpose Of This Site
This site was created for one purpose – to show the public the real world consequences of not taking the responsibility of driving serious. Deaths and serious injuries are not just alcohol related nor is it always the driver that has been drinking that caused all alcohol-impaired related accidents.
If you have a loved one that was killed or injured by a non-alcohol related accident please share your story here. If names are used documentation such as police reports should accompany the story. If they were killed please use the In Memory Of submission form. If they were not killed please use the personal stories form.
