Drivers: the Most Dangerous Types Essay

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 6,800,000 car crashes occur in the United States each year (â€Å"Talking Points-Aggressive Driving Prosecutor’s Planner†). Of the 6,800,000 crashes, substantial amounts are contributed by certain types of drivers. Becoming more educated about driving and all the dangers that come along with it can be beneficial in preventing someone else from becoming one of these statistics. Of vehicular crashes, three types of drivers contribute to the numbers the most: aggressive, distracted, and teenage. First, aggressive drivers are one of the most dangerous drivers. According to the NHTSA, almost 13,000 people have been injured or killed since 1990 in car crashes caused by aggressive driving (â€Å"Talking Points-Aggressive Driving Prosecutor’s Planner†). There are a number of causes that provoke road rage. According to one survey, the number one thing that irked road raging drive rs the most was when other drivers were talking on their cell phones (â€Å"A Statistical Look into Road Rage†). Additionally, of those surveyed, 55 percent were annoyed by drivers who cut across traffic without paying attention (â€Å"A Statistical Look into Road Rage†). Other factors that provoke aggressive drivers are texting while driving, driving too fast, driving too slowly, and tailgating. Second, distracted drivers are also very dangerous on the roadways. According to the NHTSA, an estimated 448,000 people were injured in accidents where distracted driving was reported (â€Å"Traffic Safety Facts†). Further, the NHTSA reported that sixteen percent of fatal car accidents in 2009 involved a distracted driver (â€Å"Traffic Safety Facts†). Drivers under the age of 20 compile the group of most distracted drivers. A lot of factors play into distracted driving. According to the General Estimates System (GES) database from the NHTSA (â€Å"Traffic Safet y Facts†), some of the things that distract drivers most are other occupants in the car, talking on or listening to a cellular device, adjusting the climate controls and/or radio, and eating/drinking (â€Å"Traffic Safety Facts†). As reported by the NHTSA, at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones or other electronic devices while driving (â€Å"What is Distracted Driving†). Finally, the teenage driver can be quite dangerous. This includes drivers from ages 15 to 19. The risk of motor vehicle accidents is highest among   this age group, more than any other age group, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (â€Å"Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet†). According to the NHTSA, this group accounts for almost 282,000 of the injured people involved in motor vehicle accidents (â€Å"Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet†). Among teen drivers, the death rate for male drivers is almost two times higher than that of their female counterpart. Unsafe speeds are the leading contributor in accidents among teen drivers. Another contributing factor is the fact that teens have poor hazard detection. Their lack of experience and skill contribu tes to this. As can be seen, there are several types of dangerous drivers. Aggressive drivers take out their frustration on other drivers, resulting in many accidents. Distracted drivers allow themselves to become unfocused when their full attention should be on the road. Teenage drivers cause the majority of roadway accidents, mainly due to inexperience and lack of skill. Becoming more educated about one’s own driving style and that of those around an individual can help someone to become a better, more cautious driver. Works Cited â€Å"A Statistical Look into Road Rage.† The Auto Insurance. The Auto Insurance, 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2013. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). â€Å"Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet.† Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). USA.gov, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2013. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). â€Å"Talking Points-Aggressive Driving Prosecutor’s Planner.† National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). USA.gov, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2013. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). â€Å"Traffic Safety Facts.† National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). USA.gov, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2013. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). â€Å"What is Distracted Driving?† National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). USA.gov, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2013.