Saftey_and_the_Dangers_of_Driving

Safety and the Dangers of Driving Significant changes have taken place in the automobile. The automobile went from a simple vehicle like the model T Ford, to a large massive pile of iron that went fast and consumed gas as if there was no tomorrow. In the 70’s when gas shortages hit, the size and technology in a vehicle began to rapidly change. Today, we have vehicles that are lighter with less metal and more technology to make it safer. There are a number of things that make driving unsafe and hazardous at times. It includes everything from drinking under the influence, to various distractions such as texting, or something as simple as eating while driving. External factors in vehicle safety are weather conditions, road configurations, and other drivers around you. In the following article, we will explore two safety issues that make driving safer today. The first part consists of roundabouts and how they have improved safer vehicle operations, and the second being the vehicle itself. With roundabouts being developed for various reasons, one aspect of roundabouts that prove beneficial is the safety features. As a result from being placed in areas that once had traditional intersections with stop lights, roundabouts have reduced accidents by a significant number. Based on a study from 2001, it reported that converting a traditional intersection with stop lights to a roundabout, reduced injury crashes by eighty percent, and all other crashes by forty percent. This same report also revealed that because of the roundabouts, it significantly reduced the fatalities in these areas by as much as ninety percent. Reasons cited for the drop in severe injuries and fatalities were due to the fact that roundabouts only allow for right hand turns. They also reduce speeds for a smoother traffic flow. Roundabouts do not eliminate accidents entirely, but reports suggest that because of the way they are configured, accident severity is lessened by the type of accident. This is that instead of T-bone, pulling out into traffic, or head on type accidents, roundabout accidents are more of the sideswipe, run of the road, or rear-end at lower speeds, with lesser impact. Roundabouts also have proven to be safer for older drivers. A survey from 2007 study in six communities reports that of drivers 65 and older, two thirds report that they supported roundabouts. Vehicle accident involving older drivers were mainly due to failure of right away at intersections. Another factor in reducing the number of vehicle accidents around roundabouts was that at traditional intersections with stop lights, it was reported that when the stop light changes from green to yellow, drivers were known to speed up to make the light causing a higher impact type accident. With roundabouts, this problem has been eliminated by placing yield signs at the roundabout for approaching vehicles yielding to traffic in the roundabout. One final safety feature of a roundabout includes vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents. As with normal intersections, drivers had to consider pedestrians in all areas of an intersection. With roundabouts, a driver only has to consider pedestrians crossing in front of the driver and on the driver’s right side. With the creation and use of roundabouts, the safety of all that use these locations has been significantly improved. From young to old, all can benefit from the use of and encouraging communities to install roundabouts.