As there is more and more information being put out with regards to staying safe on the roads, it seems that we are, to an extent, ignoring a lot of these stricter enforcement methods. It seems that for so many of us out there, seeing those idiots risking their (and our) lives are far more common than before. And we can’t help and ask if we, collectively, are getting worse at driving? Is this the case, and if it is, why?
The Increase Of Distractions
Now we see cars kitted out with various tools, applications, and components that are supposed to improve our skills behind the wheel. And while a lot of these fancy tools, like anti-lock braking, will help in an accident, there are still so many people that hire a car accident lawyer to instigate legal proceedings due to distracted driving. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of a car accident. And the abundance of tech in a modern car as well as the increase in mobile phone usage behind the wheel means that we are all running the risk of causing an accident because of that split second we take our eyes off the road.
There’s More Of Us On The Road
A drastic increase in population naturally results in more cars on the road. More drivers mean that, statistically, there’s going to be a wide variety of skills and experience behind the wheel. From the experienced truck drivers to the amateur who cuts in front of them, we are seeing a lot more death-defying stunts on the bigger roads. The great example of an abundance of vehicles on the road is the dreaded rush hour. We are all willing to risk our lives to get to the office on time, and this means cutting up every single person, even without indicating. It seems that because of rush hour, we lose all sense of traffic acumen. And as everyone is in it for themselves, we all become incredibly selfish.
The Increase In Speed
This isn’t across the board, but in many states, the highway and freeway speeds have been increased. For example, in Texas, it’s not uncommon to see speed limits of 85 miles per hour in some remote areas. And it doesn’t take a genius to see that the faster we go, the bigger the likelihood of an accident. 7 out of the 10 states in America that have highway speeds of 75 miles per hour or more have a higher statistic of deaths per capita. Is this a coincidence? Unlikely.
But it’s unfair to tar everyone with the same brush. Yes, there is an increase of drivers, as well as distractions, and with the increase of speed limits, many governments are doing their best to reduce the amount of road traffic accidents and deaths on the road. So, what is the real solution? While we should all follow the rules of the road, and not take liberties with our (and everyone else’s lives) we will have responsibility for our own attitudes to driving. Obey the rules, but take the opportunity to look at your own skills. Are you getting worse at driving?