The Insurance Journal had a very interesting study from the Mississippi State’s Social Science Research Center. The finds included:
- gas prices have both short-term and intermediate-term effects on reducing traffic crashes
- gas prices having a short-term impact on crashes involving younger drivers
- gas prices have a intermediate-term impact related to older drivers and men
- the current month’s average gasoline prices affect the same month’s traffic crashes.
- the rising cost of gas also drives a decline drunk-driving crashes
Their findings were the same as a past editorial I wrote about from the Mitchell, South Dakota Daily Republic . They suggested that maybe we should keep gas prices high. It’s clear that people drive less. When people drive less, less people are killed on the roads. While it’s an interesting idea in economic social engineering, it seems to me that they are simply looking at the reduced number of deaths and pointing out the changes:
If statistics move you, that’s an 11 percent improvement. If you’re a people person, that’s 55 loved ones who made it home safely from sporting events, work, vacations and trips to the grocery store.
The editorial goes on to get to it’s real point, that while high gas prices may have a helpful result, there are many other areas where lives can be saved:
Every motorist can commit to driving less, obviously. The less time you spend on the road, the less likely you will be a traffic statistic.
Motorists also can control other factors that help prevent accidents, especially fatal ones: Wear a seat belt, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, keep your car in good condition, obey traffic laws and slow down.
Finally, drivers can pay attention.
Highway officials say driver distraction contributed to one in four crashes last year.
When you’re driving, just drive. Don’t text, make phone calls or fiddle with the radio. Focus on the road, not that GPS your child gave you for Father’s Day.
There are things that we can all do to make the roads safer. As Injuryboard members have been writing for some time; buckle up, slow down, and pay attention.
A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer" multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota "Super Lawyers" four times.
2 Comments
georgerusk
yeah it is true most of us can save money on our car insurance by making few simple changes look online for "Auto Insurance Clearance" you will be amazed. In this stupid economy we all need to find ways to save. With high gas prices where else can you save for travelling?
Mike Bryant
As long as you buy enough coverage, there is no problem with looking for the best price. But if it's inadequate coverage you can end up paying much more in the long run. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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