Thursday, July 16, 2009

Funny Car Accidents

Funny car accidents are really not funny. What are funny are the different excuses that have been reported to insurance companies. It’s not so much the excuses themselves that are funny but the way they are worded...Continue

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Avoiding Car Accidents

Avoiding car accidents is really a matter of remembering to perform the basics. After driving for any length of time without an accident most drivers begin to rely on instinct and the...Continue

Friday, July 10, 2009

Top Causes Of Car Accidents

We know from Top Causes of Car Accidents that the #1 cause of car accidents is driver distractions. But exactly what are those driver distractions that all too often contribute to car accidents?

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Top Causes Of Car Accidents, Part 1

Knowing the top causes of car accidents is important, because it allows you to take steps to protect yourself and your family while you’re driving. And there is much that you can do to protect yourself. The top causes of motor vehicle accidents have one thing in common: driver error.

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Monday, July 6, 2009

Electric Insurance Company

Getting a quote from Electric Insurance Company online was one of the easiest car insurance shopping experiences I have ever had. I clicked on the link and immediately was taken to a fill-in-the-blank application. That took approximately one minute to complete and “click” to submit.

Continue...

Friday, June 5, 2009

Cheapest Auto Rental

Finding the cheapest auto rental is often the goal in these days of a shaky economy. To that end, there are a number of auto rental agencies that advertise that they offer low and economical rates.

So how does one know that they company they are renting a vehicle from actually has the cheapest auto rental rates? By going online and doing the homework, one can actually locate the best rates in a very short time. Continue...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Post Traumatic Stress Disorders

Many car accidents result in post traumatic stress disorders, and the victims of the car accident are the ones who have to live with the unfortunate effects of such a trauma. Also abbreviated as "PTSD" this condition is usually associated with soldiers returning from war, but it can actually stem from any traumatic experience.

Car accidents and other traumatic experiences can result in trauma symptoms in any person, even those people who are very healthy in general. The reason for this is that car accidents are major events that often result in loss of life and or limb. Continue...

Monday, June 1, 2009

Accident Aftermath

In the aftermath of a vehicle accident there are many decisions that the accident victim is often required to make. Aside from dealing with the physical and often emotional injuries caused by the car accident, there are decisions to be made regarding future transportation.

Between the time of the accident and finding a replacement auto, are they going to need a car rental? If the vehicle involved in the accident has been totaled then that accident aftermath decision is whether to purchase or lease a replacement motor vehicle. The next question is whether to go with a new or used vehicle. Continue...

Friday, April 17, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 24

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Surveys estimate Americans took over 159 million alcohol-impaired driving trips in 2002, 71 million trips, were made by moderate drinkers, or over 44 percent. Quinlan, Kyran P., et al. “Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among US Adults, 1993-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 28 (4) (2005): 346-350.

In 2000, 37% of the Blacks, 38% of the Hispanics, 29% of Whites, 44% of the Native Americans/Alaskan Natives, 39% of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, 22% of the Asians and 28% of those of Mixed race who report committing DUI in the past year are alcohol abusers or dependent; all the others who drove under the influence are not. The majority of those who reported alcohol-related DUI in the 12 months prior to a national survey are not alcohol dependent or alcohol abusers. Caetano, Raul and Christine McGrath. “Driving Under the Influence (DUI) among US Ethnic Groups.” Accident Analysis and Prevention 37 (2005): 217–224.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 23

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

There were 13,491 deaths in 2006 due to drunk driving. However, in 2007 there was a 3.7 decrease with only 12,998 deaths from crashes involving drinking and driving. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment-Alcohol Impaired Driving Fatalities” DOT 811 016. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811016.PDF

In the USA on average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment-Alcohol Impaired Driving Fatalities” DOT 811 016. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811016.PDF

Monday, April 13, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 22

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Recurrent bingers (those who have five or more drinks at a time five or more times in the past month) are only in the region of six percent of the US population, but drink about half of the alcohol. Binge drinkers (those who have five or more drinks on any occasion) compromise only something like 20 percent of the US population, but drink approximately 83 percent of the alcohol. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. “Drinking in America: Myths, Realities, and Prevention Policy.” Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), 2002. http://www.udetc.org/documents/Drinking_in_America.pdf


Binge drinkers were over 13 times more probable to report alcohol-impaired driving than those who drank, but did not report binge drinking. In 2002, 86.4% of the Americans 18 and older who reported driving after they had had too much to drink also reported binge drinking. Quinlan, Kyran P., et al. “Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among US Adults, 1993-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 28 (4) (2005): 346-350.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 21

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

It takes time and only time to sober a person up. The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour. Drinking strong coffee, exercising or taking a cold shower will not help. Michigan State University. “Basic Alcohol Information.” East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University, 2003. http://www.healthed.msu.edu/snc/basic.htm

About 23 percent of those 21 years of age and older surveyed report binge drinking during the past month. About 49 percent report that they did not drink any alcohol during that period. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings,” Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Applied Studies, 2007. http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results.cfm#Ch3

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 20

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Binge-drinking levels are coupled with ease of access to alcohol, price, special promotions, and outlet concentration in college communities was indicated in a College Alcohol Survey of four colleges. Wechsler, Henry, et al. “Trends in College Binge Drinking During a Period of Increased Prevention Efforts.” Journal of American College Health. 50, No. 5, (2002).


Approximately 44 percent of college students reported binge drinking, in a college survey in 2001. This proportion is almost identical to rates in three preceding surveys. Wechsler, Henry, et al. “Trends in College Binge Drinking During a Period of Increased Prevention Efforts.” Journal of American College Health. 50, No. 5, (2002).

Monday, April 6, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 19

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

In 2006 more males than females aged 12 to 20 reported current alcohol use (29.2 vs. 27.4 percent, respectively), binge drinking (21.3 vs. 16.5 percent), and heavy drinking (7.9 vs. 4.3 percent) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings,” Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Applied Studies, 2007. http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results.cfm#Ch3

The No. 1 drug problem among our youth is alcohol. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "Results from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings." Office of Applied Studies, NHSDA Series H-22, DHHS Publication NO. SMA 03-3836: Rockville, MD. 2003.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 18

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Over 30.5 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2006, involved drivers 15 to 24 years of age. However drivers in this age range represented only 14.2 percent of the 2006 population. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Young Drivers”. DOT 810 817. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810817.PDF

4.2 million people (21 percent) aged 16 to 20 in 2002 and 2003, reported DUI involving either alcohol or illicit drugs in the previous year. Seventeen percent report DUI involving alcohol, fourteen percent reported DUI involving illicit drugs, and eight percent reported DUI involving alcohol and other drugs. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Driving Under the Influence (DUI) among Young Persons.” Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Applied Studies, December 31, 2004. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/youthDUI/youthDUI.htm

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 17

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Safety belt usage was up 14 percentage points in 2007 in states with primary laws than in states without (87 percent to 73 percent). Glassbrenner, Donna. “Safety Belt Use in 2007 - Overall Results.” DOT HS 810 841. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2007. http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/announce/810_841.pdf

When light-truck occupants, use seat belts they reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent. Research has found that lap/shoulder seat belts, if used, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent. . National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Occupant Protection”. DOT 810 807. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810807.PDF

Monday, March 30, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 16

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Of the young drivers (15 to 20 years old) of passenger vehicles involved in fatal accidents who had been drinking in 2006, 65 percent were unrestrained. Of the young drivers who had been drinking and were killed in accidents, 77 percent were unrestrained. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Young Drivers”. DOT 810 817. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810817.PDF

Of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic accidents in 2006 over half (55 percent) were unrestrained. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2005: Occupant Protection”. DOT 810 807. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2007. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810807.PDF

Friday, March 27, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 15

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

The average age in 2007, at first alcohol use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was 16.8 years, comparable to the corresponding 2006 approximate (16.6 years). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf

In the year 2007, most (85.9 percent) of the 4.6 million past year alcohol initiates were younger than age 21 at the time of introduction. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 15

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

The average age in 2007, at first alcohol use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was 16.8 years, comparable to the corresponding 2006 approximate (16.6 years). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf

In the year 2007, most (85.9 percent) of the 4.6 million past year alcohol initiates were younger than age 21 at the time of introduction. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf

Monday, March 23, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 13

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

In the year 2007, 6,532 passenger vehicle occupants age 14 and younger were involved in fatal accidents. For those children where seat belt use was known, 25 percent were unrestrained; among those who were injured fatally, 45 percent seat belts were not in use. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Traffic Safety Facts 2007: Children.” DOT 810 987.Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810987.PDF

In the year 2006, 35 percent of passenger car occupants and 37 percent of light truck occupants involved in fatal accidents seat belts were not in use. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Overview.” DOT 810 809. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs /810809.PDF

Friday, March 20, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 12

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Seat belt use in 2007 was 82 percent and gain of one percent in 2008 to 83 percent. Safety Belt Use in 2008 - Overall Results.” DOT HS 811 036. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811036.PDF

It is estimated that safety belts saved 241,658 lives, from 1975 through 2007. In 2007, 15,147 lives were saved by using seat belts. However over 5,000 lives could have been saved if all passenger vehicle occupants over age 4 had been using safety belts. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Occupant Protection”. DOT 810 807. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2007. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810807.PDF

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 11

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

In 2005, 2,035 young people (aged 15-20) were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents, accounting for 33 percent of all traffic fatalities for that age group. NHTSA FARS data query, 2006.

In 2005, 1,789 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents involving underage drinking drivers. NHTSA FARS data query, 2006.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 10

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Of 15-20 year-old drivers killed in car accidents in 2006, 25 percent had a BAC level of .o8 g/dl or higher. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Young Drivers”. DOT 810 817. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810817.PDF

Of the young male drivers, 27 percent involved in fatal accidents in 2006, had been drinking at the time of the accident, compared with 15 percent of the young female drivers involved in fatal accidents. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Young Drivers”. DOT 810 817. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810817.PDF.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 9

The primary cause of alcohol-related deaths is the consumption of beer (80 percent followe by liquor/wine (20 percent). Runge, Jeffrey W., M.D. Administrator, DOT, MADD Impaired Driving Summit, January 2002

In 2007, . Of the pedestrians involved, 35 percent had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. Alcohol involvement — either for the driver or for the pedestrian — was reported in 49 percent of the traffic accidents that resulted in pedestrian deaths. Of the drivers involved in fatal accidents, only 14 percent had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, less than one-half the rate for the pedestrians. In 6 percent of the accidents, both the driver and the pedestrian had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2007: Pedestrians.” DOT 810 994. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810994.PDF

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 8

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

In 1997 surveys estimates that Americans took over 116 million alcohol-impaired driving trips, in 2002, that estimate was up to 159 million. Quinlan, Kyran P., et al. “Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among US Adults, 1993-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 28 (4) (2005): 346-350.

Over ten percent (18 million trips) were made by 18-20 year olds, of the 159 million alcohol-impaired driving trips estimated that Americans took in 2002, Quinlan, Kyran P., et al. “Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among US Adults, 1993-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 28 (4) (2005): 346-350.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 7

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Fifty to 75 percent of drunk drivers with suspended licenses persist in driving. Peck, R.C., Wilson, R. J., and Sutton, L. 1995. “Driver license strategies for controlling the persistent DUI offender, Strategies for Dealing with the intent Drinking Driver.” Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Circular No. 437. Washington, D.C. National Research Council: 48-49. Beck, KH, et al. “Effects of Ignition Interlock License Restrictions on Drivers with Multiple Alcohol Offenses: A Randomized Trial in Maryland.” American Journal of Public Health, 89 vol. 11 (1999): 1696-1700.



Unlike foods, alcohol does not have to be slowly digested. The speed of alcohol assimilation in the body affects the rate at which one becomes inebriated. As a person drinks faster than the alcohol can be eliminated, the drug accumulates in the body, resulting in higher and higher levels of alcohol in the blood. Narcotic Educational Foundation of America. “Alcohol: A Potent Drug.” Santa Clarita, CA: Narcotic Educational Foundation of America, 2002. http://www.cnoa.org/N-02.pdf.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 7

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

In 2006, 15% of all drivers involved in fatal accidents during the week were alcohol-impaired, compared to 31% on weekends. The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal accidents was four times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Alcohol Impaired Driving.” DOT 810 801. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810801.PDF

In 2006, of fatal accidents, the highest percentage of drivers with a BAC level of .08 or higher was for drivers ages 21-24 (33%), followed by ages 25-34 (29%) and 35-44 (25%). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Alcohol Impaired Driving.” DOT 810 801. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://wwwnrd. nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810801.PDF

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 6

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

In 1997, 2.1% of Americans surveyed 18 and older reported alcohol-impaired driving, compared with 2.4% in 2002. Quinlan, Kyran P., et al. “Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among US Adults, 1993-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 28 (4) (2005): 346-350.

Americans surveyed 18 and older reported alcohol-impaired driving in 2002 was 2.3%, including 3% of 18-20 year olds and 4.1% of 21-34 year olds. Quinlan, Kyran P., et al. “Alcohol-Impaired Driving Among US Adults, 1993-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 28 (4) (2005): 346-350.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 5

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Heavy drinking, binge drinking underage drinking, and drunk driving in most cases the drink of choice is beer. Rogers JD. Greenfield TK. Beer drinking accounts for most of the hazardous alcohol consumption reported in the United States. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 60(6):732-9, 1999

On average the drunk driver has driven drunk 87 times before being arrested the first time for driving drunk. Fell, Jim. “Repeat DWI Offenders in the United States.” Washington, DC: National Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Traffic Tech No. 85, February 1995.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 4

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

The effect of alcohol-involved accidents increases with injury seriousness. The cost of property damage is only 10 percent, the cost of nonfatal injury accidents account for 21 percent, and the cost of fatal injury accidents is 46 percent. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “The Economic Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes 2000,” DOT HS 809 446. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, May 2002.


The most frequent beverage consumed by people of alcohol-impaired driving and alcohol-related accidents is beer. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Alcohol and Highway Safety 2001: A Review of the State of Knowledge.” DOT HS 809 383. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, November 2001. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/research/AlcoholHighway/ 11 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Q&A: Alcohol: General.” Arlington, VA: National Highway Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, June 2003. http://www.hwysafety.org/safety_facts/qanda/alcohol_general.htm.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 3

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

An average of one person was injured almost every minute. More than half a million people were injured in crashes in 2001, where police reported that alcohol was present. ( Blincoe, Lawrence, et al. “The Economic Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes 2000.” Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2002. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/economic/EconImpact2000/) ( Miller, Ted, Diane Lestina, and Rebecca Spicer. “Highway Crash Costs in the United States by Driver Age, Blood Alcohol Level, Victim Age, and Restraint Use,” Accident Analysis and Prevention, 30, no. 2 (1998): 137-150.)

About .54 ounces of alcohol is contained in a regular drink. Which is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 72-proof distilled spirits, all of which contain the same amount of alcohol. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in the Medical Setting." DOT HS 809 467. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July 2002.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 2

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Some time in their lives, three of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “The Traffic Stop and You: Improving Communications between Citizens and Law Enforcement.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, March 2001, DOT HS 809 212. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/Traffic%20Stop%20&%20You%20HTML/TrafficStop_index.htm.)

The type of drink does not determine impairment, but rather by the amount of alcohol consumed over a specific period of time. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Q&A: Alcohol: General.” Arlington, VA: National Highway Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, June 2003. http://www.hwysafety.org/safety_facts/qanda/alcohol_general.htm.)

Friday, February 20, 2009

Drunk Driving Statistics Part 1

Thirty percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

There were 13,491 deaths in 2006 due to drunk driving. However, in 2007 there was a 3.7 decrease with only 12,998 deaths from crashes involving drinking and driving. ( National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment-Alcohol Impaired Driving Fatalities” DOT 811 016. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811016.PDF)

Alcohol-related traffic fatalities have gone down by 47%, from 30,000 to less than 16,000 since 1980 (when Mother Against Drunk Driving was founded). MADD is credited with having helped save over 358,000 lives. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS data, 2004. In 1980, there were 51,091 traffic fatalities. If 60% were alcohol-related (as in 1982 when we had valid BAC data), that translates to 30,655 that were alcohol-related. It is reasonable to believe that the AR rate in 1980 was at least as high as 1982 (it was probably higher). So that is why we say when MADD started in 1980, there were over 30,000 AR fatalities.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Used Auto Loan Calculator

An auto loan calculator is a great tool for the used car shopper. Before even heading out to go look for a car, the wise consumer will make use of a used auto loan calculator.

This is a simple tool to determine your monthly car payments based on the amount of the loan, the length of the loan and the interest rate. Even though you may not know the price of the car before you start shopping, you can actually enter some “trial numbers” and get an idea of what your car payment will be.

If you are going car shopping, especially in these financially challenging times, you need to know the maximum price you can pay for a car. It’s very hard to stand against the fast-talking used car salesperson who comes across as knowing you and knowing exactly what you need.

Wrong!

The salesperson’s job is to sell you a car. The question of whether you can afford to make the monthly payment is not high on his list of priorities. Instead it will be up to you to have some figures in mind before leaving your home and to stick to those figures.

Just remember a newer car will probably also mean an increase in car insurance premiums. So if you pay your premiums monthly, you will have to consider that additional increase when you are budgeting for a newer used car.

Before you head down to the local used car dealership, use the /Car Loan Calculator/ first you won’t regret it.