Most Fatal Accidents Are Single Car Accidents

With all the scary stories in the news about head on collisions are drunk drivers, most folks who consider themselves responsible drivers worry about the "other guy" that could involve them in a terrible accident on the highway.  But the reality of the situation paints a different picture.  New data out from the NHTSA shows that 60% of the 1449 people killed in accidents in Virginia, Maryland and DC between 2004 and 2008 died fron single car accidents.  They accounted for 64% of Virginia's traffic deaths, 62% of the District's, and 53 of Maryland's.  Are these all so-called "freak accidents" that "just happen"?  Of course not.  While alcohol is always a statistical factor, there is more evidence all the time that distracted driving resultng from cell phone use and texting are also causative factors.  Additional common demoninators include speeding, and having a track record of prior traffic convictions and crashes.