Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, a car accident occurs every eight seconds in the United States. In Oklahoma alone, hundreds of people a year are killed as a result of motor vehicle accidents, and even more people are seriously injured. As cities like Oklahoma City continue to develop, population soars and traffic patterns on heavily-traveled roads become more and more congested. This congestion can sometimes lead to reckless or negligent driving, putting the lives of drivers and pedestrians at an unnecessary risk on a daily basis.

There were 93 car accidents at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Memorial Road last year, which included hit-and-run, injury, non-injury and alcohol- or drug-related accidents.At the intersection of the Northwest Expressway and NW 63, police responded to 63 car accidents in 2009, and claiming the spot of third most dangerous intersection in Oklahoma City is the intersection of Interstate 240 and Memorial.

Recent studies have shown that driver negligence accounts for 81% of all car accidents. In some cases, the driver may have just not been paying enough attention. In other cases, the driver may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The consequences of a motor vehicle accident may be permanent injury or even death, but with safe driving strategies in place, these outcomes can be avoided. Oklahoma City police have proposed installing red-light cameras at the city’s high-accident locations, with the intention of decreasing the amount of red lights run by motorists and thereby potentially preventing future accidents.

Until the threat of car accidents has subsided, drivers are encouraged to pay close attention to their driving and the motorists around them. Keeping a safe distance between vehicles is imperative, which may help put a stop to aggressive driving. Anyone who is involved in a car accident should contact the proper authorities, including an Oklahoma City attorney, who can help decide the appropriate steps to take following an accident of this kind.