Are American Drivers Really That Unsafe?

DRIVING has never been safer. Cars, which once had just one air bag, can now have six or more, and there are crumple zones to protect occupants in a crash and electronic stability control to avoid crashes in the first place. There are run-flat tires and antilock brakes. The rate of highway fatalities has plummeted since 1970, when the United States led the world in road safety.

Still, despite its head start and that cocoon of technology, the nation has steadily slipped behind other countries, becoming comparatively one of the most dangerous places to drive in the industrialized world.

The United States ranks 42nd of the 48 countries measured in the number of fatalities per capita, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Transport Forum. Australia, Britain, France, Germany and Japan all did significantly better.


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Qwazywabbit - 7/23/2007 3:21:18 PM

+2 Boost

American drivers are worse because of the so-called "driver's Ed" that is a joke. All we are taught are versions of "Blood flows red on the highway" films and a rudimentary knowledge of driving.

They MUST teach our young drivers similar car handling abilities and knowledge that our law enforcement officers are taught.

This also applies to any immigrant looking for an American Driver license. The cities with the highest rates of fatalities (acccidents I might add) also have the highest immigrant population. Atlanta, DC, LA, etc are all horrible places to drive.

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 4:15:16 PM

+1 Boost

im gonna agree, since I live in the DC metro area, the highways going to and from md and va are annoying.

bimmermike2 - 7/24/2007 9:49:56 PM

+1 Boost

Comming originally from Miami, a 21st. century melting pot of epic proportion, I've noticed that the immigrants drive according to their personal countries driving laws and habits. It's a quagmire! At the same time I used to get an excellant choice of restaurants, some seriously exotic women, and a couple of very good friends. Fair trade!

Anthony - 7/23/2007 9:46:38 AM

+6 Boost

What pisses me off about many American drivers is their complete lack of road manners. You're supposed to signal and look over your shoulder BEFORE you change lanes you know...

Also, I am constantly surprised by the number of people who do not even bother to put on their seatbelt when behind the wheel. Why do you NOT want to wear your seatbelt? Do you feel like a dork when wearing one? See how dorky people think you look when you are laying in a casket at your funeral. Harsh, but reality.

Bmw8ter - 7/23/2007 10:29:27 AM

+1 Boost

Judging from the impact, the Corolla was probably not going as fast as the Mercedes; and considering the road is wet and the Corolla is FWD, I'm thinking German engineering prevails again, only this time with respect to complacency.

Will_ - 7/23/2007 11:25:49 AM

+1 Boost

I remember this very same picture sparking this very same debate. Only last time, we had the hardest time distinguishing the Mercedes between a C-Class and an S-Class...

Bmw8ter - 7/23/2007 2:25:52 PM

+1 Boost

That wasn't hard....it's a C class.

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 10:13:06 AM

+2 Boost

these days, ppl are becoming very careless and chatting their asses w/their phones...

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 10:43:25 AM

-2 Boost

since I can drive, I refuse to drive until I can get me a manual tran car. why? of course more attention on the road and focus too...

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 10:43:28 AM

-2 Boost

since I can drive, I refuse to drive until I can get me a manual tran car. why? of course more attention on the road and focus too...

Bmw8ter - 7/23/2007 10:50:51 AM

0 Boost

Manuals make good excuses for explaining to your wife why you refuse to pick up the phone when she calls; that's one reason I went back to a manual. They're WAY more fun to drive than automatics too.

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 12:00:22 PM

+2 Boost

tht is one of the most favorable excuses if I talk to the cops about it! though I would need a headset, but seriously, I'd pass and keep on driving. who knows what danger lurks around these highways?

SamFriedman - 7/23/2007 12:54:09 PM

+3 Boost

Ill tell you why there are more accidents here, its because people dont know how to drive! The accidents dont happen because people drive fast, they happen because people drive slow, thus ruining the flow of traffic causing people to change lanes constantly increasing the chances of accidents.

ElSparquito - 7/23/2007 1:03:14 PM

+3 Boost

You know another reason for the reckless behaviour on US roads is the relatively low penalties. I'm not sure 100% how the system works in Australia, but I know they have several levels of probationary licences to go through before a full driver's license is awarded. Add in heavy fines/penalties for driving and you've got drivers who drive safer purely b/c of accountability. They also have a great support system to aid against driving fatigue on their highways (lots of rest spots and free coffee at gas stations).
Things are changing here in VA though. Huge speeding penalties for reckless (20+ over speed limit). I've noticed people are not speeding quite as much at the beach now.

TheGermanGuy - 7/23/2007 1:37:16 PM

+1 Boost

Even the higher fines and stricter penalities will do nothing to improve safety on American roads. Politicians preach safety, but in all reality this is nothing more than pure taxation.

The simple fact is that safety enforcement in the US is a joke pure and simple, because there are far too few police officers to really curtail the problem. The local and state governments only target one area of safety; speed.

Police never enforce drive right, pass left or not signaling or trucks loosing dangerous debris onto the highway.

rg12345 - 7/23/2007 10:28:01 PM

-1 Boost

What are you talking about hispanic driving DUI? I am not hispanic and I don't like the pitch of their voice, BUT American people are doing it all the time! I do NOT know a single person who doesn't LOVE to get drunk once a week/month. They say it's fun. Some also drive home. And that's not all. I do NOT know a single American that will not use some sort of illegal drugs to feel great once in a while .. and some also drive right after that. If I tell someone I didn't try marijuana they all say I must be crazy ..

r_driver04 - 7/23/2007 1:08:43 PM

+2 Boost

We need mandatory "crash avoidance" and "vehicle control" courses. It's funny because most public service and law enforcement have to be certified in emergency response driving. Maybe we could all benefit from the training. Just because the cars get safer doesn't mean we get to speed up and be lazy.

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 1:49:55 PM

+2 Boost

http://www.nbc4.com/news/13733584/detail.html
my dad drives this beltway to go to work in VA. this accident isnt tht far from DC.

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 1:59:55 PM

+2 Boost

theres also debate in VA for bad driver fees ranging from $900-1300. note tht VA has the most interstate accidents...

Qwazywabbit - 7/23/2007 3:57:16 PM

+2 Boost

Im not opposed to teaching manual transmission driving, I just think its not needed. 99% of the vehicles on the road are automatic--why not just teach better classes both in "groundschool" and on the roads regardless of the transmission, to get the confidence needed.

Threepoint1415926 - 7/23/2007 6:39:10 PM

+1 Boost

I'm not in the camp that speed = dangerous driving. I believe that dangerous driving = dangerous driving. Impeding traffic by traveling too slow or staying in the left lane are just as harmful as tailgating or weaving. The real problem I notice is complacency and overconfidence in one's driving. Everyone seems to say "I'm a better driver than anyone else on the road and hence the way I drive is the right way" Any seasoned motorcycle rider knows exactly how dangerous traffic can be as we risk our lives in it every day to a much higher degree than a normal commuter. We see this overconfidence and complacency all the time and sometimes become victims of it.

benzdabest - 7/23/2007 7:35:14 PM

+1 Boost

I usually go about 100mph on the freeway. I dont think there should be speed limits on the freeway.

Qwazywabbit - 7/23/2007 7:50:27 PM

+2 Boost

Not with people being so distracted on the road here--screw that! I saw a chick applying makeup, driving, and holding her phone all at the same time. She was weaving in lanes and not driving at a constant rate of speed (below the limit then waaaay above the limit). Its people like this that need to have their license revoked until they finish a true driving school.

henbmw - 7/25/2007 1:03:11 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed. Woman shouldn't drive.

dayday - 7/24/2007 12:57:12 AM

+2 Boost

Chinese are the most unsafe drivers in the world. many of us don't use indicator when changing lane...
(I'm chinese)but i do.

rok_altima - 7/24/2007 10:08:20 AM

+3 Boost

Reasons why Americans are bad drivers
A. The use of automatic transmissions. Compared to a manual, they allow more "freedom" and disconnection from the car
B. Wide roads- they allow for more margin of error and thus a more lax feeling than the rest of the world
C. The SUV craze of "go anywhere and do anything I want"
D. Driver's tests that do not test the functionality of the car i.e. How to check your oil, brakes, etc.
E. Use of car suspensions that are wallowy and soft which allow the car to float and don't give good road feedback.

henbmw - 7/25/2007 1:01:38 PM

+1 Boost

F. Half this country is retarded.

EnnNorak - 7/24/2007 1:25:06 PM

+2 Boost

I live in Edmonton, Canada and I can assure you that we have some of the worst drivers in North America. My wife got rear ended while stopped at a traffic light here. Montreal drivers are also maniacs. As for U.S. drivers, my experience is that Las Vegas, and certain dense urban areas like NYC and LA have the worst drivers. Concrete highway divider barriers in Las Vegas have tire marks every few hundred feet where cars have scraped the side of the barrier or even gone over it into oncoming lanes -- it's downright scary.

benzdabest - 7/24/2007 2:37:17 PM

-1 Boost

Asians cant see very well when driving especially at night, Mexicans usually dont have insurance and are most likely to do hit and runs. Whites usually drive slow and ignorant, and Blacks play the music too loud and loose consentration. Old folks are just lost when it comes to technology in basic operations of a car, and youngsters are just driving crazy until they have the first accident. Im not racist in any way but this is what I know from my driving experience in California.

henbmw - 7/25/2007 12:58:35 PM

+1 Boost

HELL YEA, and PROUD OF IT!