Driving Hazards
A hazard is a source of danger. When driving, it forces you to change your speed or steering to avoid a collision. To say that driving can be dangerous is an understatement. Over 90% of the vehicles involved in fatal car accidents are passenger cars or light trucks (vans, SUVs, or pickup trucks).
Every accident, no matter how minor, takes a toll on life.
In over 45% of the 35,768 fatal crashes in 2020, the drivers of passenger vehicles were engaged in at least one of the following risky behaviors: distracted driving (the most frequent cause in June 2023), speeding, alcohol impairment, and reckless driving.
Some other causes of vehicle-related occupational fatalities include:
- Running yellow and red lights
- Aggressive behavior - road rage
- Weather conditions - rain, snow, wind, etc.
- Night driving
- Road conditions - potholes, slopes, rough surface, etc.
- Animal crossings
- Construction zones
Real-Life Accidents
At 11:54 a.m. on September 16, 2023, an eastbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by an employee, left the roadway, went through an ODOT fence, and struck a tree. The impact caused the Volvo to catch fire and become fully engulfed. The fire spread to a barn and the local fire departments responded to extinguish the fire. The employee was killed in the motor vehicle accident fire.
At 8:30 p.m. on November 4, 2022, an employee was driving a utility vehicle on the street. The employee lost control and drove the vehicle over the curb, and crashed into a tree. The employee was killed.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. What is the most frequent cause of fatal vehicle accidents?
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