CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
During the 101 Critical Days of Summer, which began Memorial Day weekend and wraps up Labor Day weekend, we sometimes become complacent in our driving skills and attitudes.
People think accidents and incidents only happen to "the other person." When I was writing this, it was originally intended to focus on common traffic violations at Charleston AFB. As I was putting my thoughts together we, Team Charleston, lost one of our own 315th Airlift Wing Airmen in a tragic traffic accident in northern South Carolina. I changed my mind to give you some facts and a personal experience about traffic mishaps.
One of the hardest things to do during my 30 plus years as a police officer was to remove a 12-year-old child from a burnt out van after an automobile accident. Having seen the young man actually burn up in front of me still haunts my thoughts today. The accident was not his fault; it was not the fault of his mother who was driving. This accident could have been prevented. The other driver, you guessed it, was drunk and fell asleep at the wheel. This event taught me one valuable lesson and it was to always be prepared to react to any situation on the road. If you are a defensive driver, you are most likely a prepared and forward thinking driver capable of immediate reaction. This, in many cases, will save your life.
Here are a few statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to keep as a reminder while you travel the highways of the United States this summer:
In 1966, traffic crashes resulted in more than 50,000 fatalities. Congress recognized this public health crisis and created the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Safety Bureau. That momentous event was a crossroad in our nation's efforts to address this crisis. If the extraordinary progress in improving highway safety had not been made since that time, more than 120,000 people would have died last year and hundreds of thousands more would have suffered traumatic injuries.
Death and injury from traffic crashes continue to be among the most serious public health problems facing our country. Motor vehicle injuries constitute 99 percent of non-fatal transportation injuries and 94 percent of transportation deaths. The statistics for 2008 alone offers a grim reality: there were still more than 37,000 people killed.
Americans have a better understanding of the consequences while driving impaired. Fewer are driving after drinking and more are getting caught when they do. Unfortunately, alcohol-related crashes may be on the rise. The unexpected culprit in impaired driving is drowsiness. Airmen need to make sure they get enough sleep. Drowsiness has a significant impact on driving performance, slowing reaction time, decreasing situational awareness and impairing judgment.
Vehicle safety continues to improve with the advent of full fleet implementation of driver and passenger air bags. However, without significant increases in the use of safety belts, full potential will not be reached. Remember, buckle up, it is the law. The use of child safety seats remains a major concern as well; studies indicate that up to 80 percent are installed or used incorrectly.
Speeding is another cause for many of the crashes occurring throughout the year. In 1996, speeding was a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes, accounting for 12,998 lives lost. In 1996, 41,000 people received critical injuries in speed-related crashes, 75,000 received moderately severe injuries, and 624,000 received minor injuries. Speeding, exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions, occurs at all speed limits.
Aggressive drivers pose a very high risk; they are more likely to drink and drive, speed and drive unbelted. They run stop signs and red lights. They tailgate, weave in-and-out of traffic, pass on the right, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk and flash their lights. Studies indicate more Americans worry about aggressive drivers than they do drunk drivers. Driver stress resulting from increased levels of traffic congestion could significantly increase the incidence of aggressive driving.
Charleston AFB's most common offenses are easily avoidable and people who do them on the installation are most likely doing them off base as well. Most traffic violations are speeding, not using a seatbelt, running stop signs, improper backing and although only a violation on federal property, talking on a cell phone.
Be prepared every day while traveling the streets and highways, be it with an automobile or motorcycle. Take care of yourself and your families. Drive responsibly and don't forget to use personal risk management.