Stupidity Kills In Arizona

In effort to wake up Arizona drivers and keep them out of an Arizona defensive driving course, we're providing readers with a review of the most recent Arizona traffic statistics.

How will knowing a few statistics help keep drivers from getting a traffic ticket and help them stay out of an Arizona defensive driving program? Great question. We're glad you asked. Instead of telling you why these statistics could change your driving behavior, we're going to let them speak for themselves.

Before you read on, be warned that none of the stats will be sugarcoated. Brace yourself for a bumpy, shocking ride.

Fatalities

The latest data available from the National Highway points out that in 2005 there were 1,177 traffic fatalities in the state of Arizona.

Of those 1,177 traffic fatalities, 46% of the people killed were drivers.

It goes without saying. Do something stupid behind the wheel in 2007 and the least of your worries will be getting a traffic ticket and being ordered to an Arizona defensive driving program. You could find yourself being a part of this year's statistic. Nobody wants that.

While this statistic doesn't detail exactly what the drivers were doing that resulted in a traffic fatality, we're willing to bet that a majority of these fatalities were the result of a traffic violation by one party or another. How many of these fatalities could have been prevented?

Seatbelts

In all, there were 652 passenger vehicle occupants killed in Arizona. More than half of them -- almost 54% - were not wearing a seatbelt.

Once again, if you commit a traffic violation that results in a collision and you're not wearing a seatbelt, you might not even get the chance to attend a defensive driving course to correct your violation. That's because you could wind up in the hospital. Or you could end up dead. Harsh. We know. But the truth kills.

Alcohol

Here's a sobering statistic. In 2005, of the 1,177 traffic fatalities in Arizona, 42% of the people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. Yes, that's correct. 42%.

What would possess someone to get behind the wheel with Blood Alcohol Content above the legal limit? If you get caught, you'll receive a ticket, a trip to an Arizona defensive driving course and depending on the circumstances, you could have your license suspended.

If you're going to drink, don't drive. You could end up killing yourself or someone else on the road.

Knowledge: They key to a better future

It seems like negative statistics are all around us. This is especially true when it comes to road fatalities. Unfortunately, since we're all drivers, there's a chance that we could become part of these statistics.

Nobody wants that to happen. That's why, as drivers, we need to do our best to drive in accordance with the law. Failure to do so could result in a traffic ticket, a trip to defensive driving school in Arizona, or a trip to the hospital.

Being proactive is a great start. If you forgot some of the rules of the road, consider taking an Arizona defensive driving course as a refresher. It might be one of the smartest ways you can help this state reduce traffic fatalities.