The causes of fatal traffic and pedestrian accidents are numerous. There are plenty of statistics compiled by government agencies for county, state and national accident numbers, but the individual victims of these accidents are not statistics and neither are the family members and friends of the victims. They are people and their lives have been tragically ended or altered by what are often preventable accidents.
Colorado has seen a spate of fatal accidents so far in 2013, and the Denver area is seeing an alarming spike in the number of accidents where pedestrians have been killed or terribly injured. Several of these cases have involved drivers who have left the scene without stopping.
Most people are aware of most of the major causes of serious vehicle accidents. They include speeding and careless or reckless behavior, dangerous passing, failure stop at stop signs, misuse of alcohol or other drugs, distracted driving and, in the case of young drivers, having too many people in the car. The failure to wear seat belts has contributed to the deaths of far too many drivers and passengers.
In addition to the loss of life and injury that vehicle collisions can cause, there is another sad fact related to some accidents. If there are previous proven incidents of drunk or drugged driving, the drivers who are found responsible for the death of pedestrians or other drivers or passengers can be sentenced to many years in prison for their actions.
All of this can be avoided if drivers of all ages will simply use common sense and courtesy when driving on our streets and highways.