This may come across as a tad depressing, but it shows the facts. In a study from 1995-2005 found that each year on average there were over 1,500,000 (1.5 million) crashes that occurred during "poor weather" conditions in the U.S.. These "Weather Related" crashes are those that occur in the presence of adverse weather and/or slick pavement. Along with those weather related crashes over 690,000 people were injured and just under 7,400 were killed per year. Some of the nitty-gritty includes that 1,170,000 (75%) of those crashes took place when the roads were wet. 168,400 (11%) of the crashes took place during snowy or slushy road conditions. If you want some more information check out the url.
Information taken from the:
Federal Highway Administration, Road Weather Management Program. How Do Weather Events Impact Roads? www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Weather/q1_roadimpact.htm Access November 23, 2009.
The sad part about all of this is, most people don't realize the magnitude that weather has on the roadways. About once a day (at least) you'll hear there was a accident on the road and someone was either injured or killed. I can remember times when a big snow storm would go through back in the twin cities and the traffic reporter would say there were over 100 accidents on the roadways. When you really take in the numbers it just starts to make you think. It usually hits home when a family member or friend is in one of those accidents.
Just a few things to ponder...
-DK
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