ave you noticed this in your state? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 08-26-2015, 08:39 AM

About two months ago I went to Florida to pick up a car from The Don. At that time the death toll in Michigan from traffic accidents from January 2015 to June 2015 was 325.

This morning the flashing sign on the freeway (a big distractor, lol) announced that as of today, the traffic death toll is 613

It almost doubled in less than two months.

What's going on?

Is it happening in your state too?

tbomachines · #2 08-26-2015, 08:49 AM

wouldn't be surprised if a lot of it is drunk driving and younger inexperienced drivers. One thing I noticed is that a disproportionately huge percentage of fatal accidents reported on the news involve Acura TLs around here. My hunch is a lot of parents are buying them for their kids and the kids are out there driving like idiots more. More speed, more time, more kids in the cars.

Disclaimer for pedantic trolls everywhere: "percentage" is a generalization and does not equate to a statistically significant correlation (r squared value above 0.8) or any sort of large theoretical declaration about widespread accidents relating to car models. Sorry I had to strel

t walgamuth · #3 08-26-2015, 09:03 AM

The economy is doing well and lots more folks are driving and traveling. More traffic, more accidents and deaths.

If you want less, deaths just elect an R to the presidency and with the economic slowdown lots less traffic and lots less death.

sloride · #4 08-26-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The economy is doing well and lots more folks are driving and traveling. More traffic, more accidents and deaths.

If you want less, deaths just elect an R to the presidency and with the economic slowdown lots less traffic and lots less death.

That may be correct if you compare year over year. I doubt that has anything to do with what happened between June and Aug. compared to between Jan and May. As TBO stated summer driving season and new drivers likely the difference. On a daily commute most people are aware of their surroundings but when vacation traveling you are in unfamiliar conditions. If someone would like to blame a political decision on those jumps in deaths, they should be blaming the MI tourism board for doing a fantastic job increasing tourist's in the state.

P.C. · #5 08-26-2015, 09:46 AM

It seems that we had a long 4th of July holiday period this year, a time when folks get pickled on Coors at cookouts, and subsequently wrap their Gran Torino around a pole.

t walgamuth · #6 08-26-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloride

That may be correct if you compare year over year. I doubt that has anything to do with what happened between June and Aug. compared to between Jan and May. As TBO stated summer driving season and new drivers likely the difference. On a daily commute most people are aware of their surroundings but when vacation traveling you are in unfamiliar conditions. If someone would like to blame a political decision on those jumps in deaths, they should be blaming the MI tourism board for doing a fantastic job increasing tourist's in the state.

Not blaming anybody...in a sense its a good sign of a healthy economy with lots of folks feeling affluent enough to spend money traveling....also more driving when more folks are going to work instead of staying home looking for a job on the internet.

Angel · #7 08-26-2015, 10:23 AM

Ohio has traffic signs up saying "Drive carefully - fatalities up 15%".

I haven't back-checked their numbers (State-wide? On road/off-road ? Cars only (not motorcycles) ? up 15% since last year ? last year at this time ? trending to finish the year up 15% ?

But from a PR perspective, yes, my state is doing the same thing.

-John

t walgamuth · #8 08-26-2015, 10:39 AM

I heard recently that over half the fatalities were folks not wearing seat belts. If you throw in motorcyclists who don't wear helmets I bet fatalities would be reduced by 2/3.

TwitchKitty · #9 08-26-2015, 01:53 PM

I heard a report that the number of deaths due to distracted driving are approaching the number of deaths due to driving intoxicated.

Prescription drug use is also an increasing factor.

Other drivers scare me.

Jorn · #10 08-26-2015, 02:34 PM

I read somewhere that with Uber and Lyft these days DUI's are down. Almost 100% of teens are distracted by their hand held devices while driving, that's truly scary.

t walgamuth · #11 08-26-2015, 02:58 PM

As if they have well developed skills to start with.

Skippy · #12 08-26-2015, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

As if they have well developed skills to start with.

True. Having finally taken up go-karting in my 30's, I think I would have been saved considerable expense of learning things the hard way had my dad taken me karting before I started driving cars. I think some track time is an extremely good idea for any new driver, or any driver who hasn't spent some time on a track.

INSIDIOUS · #13 08-26-2015, 10:06 PM

One of my kids got some good lessons about the limits of human indestructibility on lawn mowers and bicycles, and still went on to total vehicles .... from the maternal side ...