The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently conducted a study on fatal crashes. They revealed that most individuals fear being killed by another motorist but, in fact, the most deadly crashes are solo accidents.
Approximately 96% of all drivers fear they will be hit by a driver who runs a red light, and 86% are concerned they will be hit by a distracted driver. However, 55% of the reported traffic deaths nationwide involve a single vehicle only.
AAA’s John B. Townsend states:
“The expression ‘single-vehicle crash’ covers a multitude of driver errors and other risk factors, including intoxication, inattention, distraction, drowsiness, speed, adverse weather, plus overcorrection of the vehicle and, ironically, even crash-avoiding maneuvers.”
Single vehicle crashes can include many situations such as the vehicle hitting a cyclist or pedestrian, an animal, a tree, a pole or various other objects. However, 70% of all the crashes are considered “run off-road” accidents which is when a vehicle crosses a center or edge line. Three percent of all crashes involve a rollover, but 20% of all deaths were due to rollovers.
Whenever you are behind the wheel of a car, keep all distractions away and focus completely on driving to avoid these devastating accidents.