Distracted drivers are the worst ones

While youthful drivers are blamed for having a large share of accidents, as evidenced by higher insurance rates and even a graduated license program in this state, that demographic of the driving public has been given false blame, fueled by urban legend that youths are hazardous to our highways.

In actuality, youthful drivers wouldn’t even be in my top five when it comes to highway menaces in Warren County. Sure, they may burn rubber more than older folks and even play their stereos louder, but as far as getting in serious accidents, they are low on the totem pole. Yes, they are more inexperienced but often that makes them more cautious, with only a small minority experimenting in high-speed madness and taking chances with their lives. Contrary to popular belief, most kids do want to be alive to reach 30.

I say this with almost 18 years of experience working wrecks in Warren County, publishing hundreds of wreck photos during that time in this very publication. Sure, some serious ones have involved drivers under the age of 21, but not really anything out of their percentage of the driving public. Actually, the opposite is true in this case as I see far more aged drivers involved in serious accidents than I do youthful drivers.

It’s not so much age when it comes to serious accidents as it is the behaviors of drivers. We all know drunk drivers present a danger to the driving public as they steer their 4,000-pound lethal weapons around the county without regard for anyone. However, I’d have to say drunk drivers would rank fourth on the list of menaces to the highway here when it comes to the percentage of serious accidents I’ve seen.

Actually drunk drivers would rank just behind lead-footed people who are always late for work, school or an appointment. They tend to lay the metal to the floor, pass people with abandon like they own the road and run through red lights, the later being the place most accidents happen within the city limits. And, if you’ll notice, most wrecks involving cars running off the roadways involve excessive speed.

Ranking even more dangerous than those are the second most dangerous, that being fatigued drivers who think it’s OK to drive while tired. I’ve seen far more serious accidents caused by weary motorists than drunk motorists. However, it seems driving weary is much more accepted than drinking and driving, even though weary driving often sees an unconscious driver behind the wheel of a 4,000-pound weapon. Whether there’s an intent to injure people, the danger is still very real.

With that said, the most dangerous drivers on the road are distracted drivers, hands down. Most serious wrecks I’ve been to happened because the driver was not paying attention. It could be something as small as looking away to see something on the side of the road, looking down to change the radio station, looking back to check a child or even letting one’s mind wander to the plans of the day.

What this means is that the most dangerous driver on the road could be any of us on any given day. We may fuss at drunk drivers, youthful drivers and even aged drivers, but the most lethal driver out there is one who is not paying attention to the road. Sometimes motorists get so used to going about their driving routine that they forget how important it is to focus and begin taking it for granted, like they are on autopilot.

In other words, don’t be cussing the other driver under your breath while you’re tuning your radio, talking on your cell-phone and trying to decide whether you’ll have Chinese or Mexican for supper.

Duane Sherrill is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].