Many people in Virginia die each year in drunk driving accidents. Though drunk drivers face heavy fines and even jail time if caught, alcohol-related crashes continue to be an issue across the nation. In fact, drunk driving deaths account for approximately a third of all traffic deaths. The following are some of the common factors behind these fatalities.
Safety features could reduce car accident rates
Bank of America Merrill Lynch claims that technology used in automobiles will help to reduce the number of accidents that occur. Since 2011, there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of accidents on Virginia roads and those in other states. The increase is partially the result of higher employment, which has led to more miles being driven. Smartphone use as well as the legalization of marijuana are also cited as factors for the increase. According to data from the IIHS, states that had legalized marijuana had more crashes reported by police than bordering states that had not legalized it.
External airbags may reduce occupant injuries by 40 percent
Drivers in Virginia may not instantly think of airbags on the outside of their vehicles as being all that helpful, but there's compelling research suggesting otherwise. New data presented by a leading car parts maker suggests that external airbags may reduce the severity of injuries sustained by vehicle occupants by as much as 40 percent. These results could provide an added incentive for widespread implementation of this type of technology.
Be aware: Virginia teens may still text and drive
Distracted driving among teens remains a huge problem in the U.S. even though texting and driving is prohibited in nearly every state. The CDC believes that up to nine people are killed every day on the nation's roadways because of distracted driving. Out of a study group of more than 101,000 teens, 38 percent admitted to texting and driving, and nearly 56 percent of older teens acknowledged they engage in this dangerous habit.
Texting and driving: It's not safe while waiting at a red light
Some people believe it's safe to text behind the wheel when they're stopped at a traffic light. People have become more connected through texts, emails and phone calls, so it's no wonder that they want to check their messages when they aren't moving.
