When gasoline prices are high, many drivers stay off the road if they don’t have to drive. In fact, many people leave their car keys at home and opt to take public transportation—even as a way of commuting to work—in order to save money at the pump. Naturally, when gas prices fall, more people are inclined to drive to work or run that extra errand.
Now that gasoline prices are low, it is important that motorists know the relationship between cheaper prices at the pump and more crashes on the road. According to NPR’s Shankar Vedantam, lower gasoline prices are linked to an increase in traffic accidents. To show motorists the reality of lower gas prices, Vedantam spoke with Guangqing Chi, a sociologist at South Dakota State University, who has been analyzing gas prices and their relationship to traffic fatalities. Chi indicated that cheaper prices at the pump are associated with more fatal collisions and thousands of deaths every year.
While we are not trying to scare drivers in Florida, we do want motorists to be aware that while lower gas prices are great news, they do come with some risk.
- More cars are on the road
- Heavier traffic
- Drivers tend to speed more and not drive as safe
When gasoline prices are higher, drivers tend to drive slower and safer than they do when prices are lower. This is because they are concerned with saving money and not necessarily thinking about saving lives. Now that drivers are aware of this relationship between gas prices and fatal traffic accidents in Florida and nationwide, we are encouraging all drivers to drive the speed limit and obey the road rules even when gasoline prices aren’t as costly.
If you have been injured by a careless driver, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer in South Florida. You can reach the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at (954) 677-0155(954) 677-0155 for a complimentary consultation today.
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