Driving is a safety-critical activity. Despite how dangerous driving can be, many people are far too comfortable with unsafe behavior on the road. There has been a noticeable increase in several kinds of unsafe road conduct in recent years.
Crash risk overall has been on the rise in recent years, but certain types of collisions have seen significant increases in accident rates, including the following.
Pedestrian collisions
People have always had to share the road with vehicles, but it has become substantially more dangerous to do so in recent years. According to an analysis of data from 2022, fatal pedestrian crashes have surged to the highest rate seen in the last 40 years. Some of those crashes occur in parking lots or at the ends of driveways because motorists don’t monitor their surroundings. Others are the results of improper choices by either drivers or those walking in the street.
Distracted driving collisions
Texting while driving has been on the rise in recent years as well. Unfortunately, the choices that people make subconsciously when their phones ping or vibrate can potentially lead to them causing completely preventable collisions. Technology isn’t the only source of distraction that can lead to collisions. Drivers can also end up involved in wrecks because they eat while driving or become too embroiled in a conversation with a passenger.
Bicycle collisions
Cycling is a common form of transportation that tends to see major fluctuations in popularity. A few years ago, cycling clubs that prioritized racing were incredibly popular. Many people now enjoy riding on e-bikes as a cost-effective and fun form of transportation. Unfortunately, those in bigger vehicles often fail to look for cyclists and may not understand how to safely share the road with them. Collisions involving bicycles, e-bikes and even scooters are a safety concern for people of all ages, not just young adults and those who do not yet have driver’s licenses.
Although there are many safety campaigns underway to reduce these collision rates, people need to understand that their risk of serious wrecks might be higher now than it was just a few years ago. Anyone negatively affected by a motor vehicle collision can potentially pursue compensation. Holding drivers accountable for unsafe road habits can help mitigate the impact a crash can have on those who are not to blame for any particular incident.