What do these numbers have in common?   41,059…..2.49 million…..230.6 billion?

Ok, your best guess. 

As a DDC-4 instructor I talk about these number in my classes.  The 41,059 are the number of fatalities in the US in 2007 from motor vehicle collisions (about 10 times the number of deaths in the whole Iraq war).  You might guess the next number.  The number of injured from motor vehicle collisions in 2007.  The third number represents the amount of insurance money paid out in 2007.  Finally, a statistic that is hard to print.  Speed is the #1 killer of people ages 1-33 is motor vehicle accidents and the #4 of people over 33.

Do these numbers open your eyes?  They do mine.  We are out there hurting and killing ourselves and others.  Yet this article will probably not change the driving habits of many or any people.  Here are a couple of other questions you might not know the answers to.

1. What is the number 1 cause of traffic collisions?
2. What is the number 1 cause of drive distraction?

Think you got it right?  You might have the first question correct, but I am guessing not the second. 

SPEED is the number 1 cause of traffic collisions and death/injury today.

Ah, you thought cell phones, think again.   MUSIC is the number 1 cause of driver distraction.  So how many of you said cell phones (#4)?

We are driving faster and not concentrating on the job of driving safely.  Ever try to drive the SPEED LIMIT on a highway recently?  Everyone is passing you and some honk to get you to speed up.  What’s your favorite tune and do you remember the last time you ran a stop sign or red light listening to the music?  Happens all the time.