Do you know what the leading behavior involved in traffic fatalities is? Drunk driving? Distracted driving?
No—according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving too fast was the leading behavior involved in traffic fatalities in 2014. In 18.8% of fatal crashes, driving too fast was reported, followed by driving under the influence in 12.3% of these incidents.
Houston freeways are full of fast drivers, even when traffic is clogging multiple lanes of the roadway. It is not uncommon to have a driver zip past a stopped line of vehicles by moving onto the shoulder.
Although traffic fatalities have certainly decreased with advancement in vehicular technology, human error is still responsible for deaths that could have been avoided.
When you are behind the wheel, take a proactive stance in decreasing the number of traffic fatalities by monitoring the following behaviors which, according to the NTHSA, were the leading human behaviors reported in traffic fatalities in 2014:
Driving too fast
Driving under the influence
Failure to keep in proper lane
Failure to yield right of way
Distracted driving
Careless driving
Overcorrecting/oversteering
Failure to obey traffic signs
Driving recklessly, negligently
Swerving or avoiding
If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident, contact a board certified personal injury attorney to evaluate your potential claim.
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]