Car accidents are among the leading causes of death and injury in the United States. According to reports from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, car accidents occur almost every 8 seconds. Throughout Oklahoma, thousands of people are killed each year due to car accidents and many more are seriously injured. As cities like Oklahoma continue to expand, the population increases and traffic activities are becoming very congested. Some of this congestion leads to careless or reckless driving, which puts the lives of motorists and pedestrians at risk every day.
During ’09 alone, Oklahoma police responded to numerous incidents, and 564 of this number occurred at the city’s ten most dangerous intersections. All of these 10 intersections are located on the west side, where traffic is extremely heavy. Three of the most dangerous intersections are Pennsylvania Avenue and Memorial Road, Interstate 240 and the Memorial and Northwest Expressway, and NW 63.
Last year, there were approximately 93 car accidents at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Memorial Road, including injury, hit-and-run, drug-related, no-injury, and driving while intoxicated. The intersection of NW 63 and the Northwest Expressway had 63 car accidents during 2009 and the Memorial and Interstate 240 claimed third place as the most damaging intersection in all of Oklahoma.
Recently published research has revealed that negligent driving accounts for approximately 81% of car accidents that take place in this city. In some cases, it may appear that the motorist is concentrating on things other than what is happening on the road. In other situations, drivers may be intoxicated by drugs or alcoholic beverages. The results of a car accident can be lasting injuries and death; however, with safer driving practices, those consequences could definitely be avoided. Oklahoma City Police have recommended the installation of red light cameras around regions with the most accidents, with the goal of reducing the number of motorists running red lights and, by doing so, possibly stopping future incidents. .