The phrase 'unsafe
speed' does not necessarily mean driving too fast. It
can also mean driving under the posted speed limit, or
too fast for existing weather or traffic conditions even
though slower than the posted speed limit. People who
drive at unsafe speeds are a major hazard, especially
on freeways.
The rising number of vehicles on the road today is a factor
in the high number of collisions. While this is certainly
a factor, the greatest fault lies with the many  drivers
that refuse to obey traffic laws. Below is a table by
the NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration).
It shows the 2006 Fatality Rates for Texas and the U.S.
in general.
| 3,475 |
1.46 |
14.78 |
| 42,642 |
1.41 |
14.24 |
| |
0.78 |
6.36 |
*State (or States)
With Lowest Rates: Lowest Alcohol and VMT Rates
Could Be in Different States
|
In 2006, there were 3,475 people killed in motor vehicle
traffic crashes in Texas. That equates to about 10 people
diying in car crashes in Texas every day.
What were these 3,475 people doing when they were killed?
1,875 were driving a vehicle
821 were passengers in a vehicle
346 were riding motorcycles
379 were pedestrians
51 were pedalcyclists
33 were doing other things or it isn’t known what
they were doing
Of these 3,475 fatalities,
1,474 people died because unsafe speed and 1,677 because
alcohol contributed to the crashes.
|
