Do you want an example? When they draw near someone crossing the street, 73% of drivers keep the same speed or accelerate. The fact is that the brain, guided by evolution characteristics of our species, reacts to the negative interactions of traffic as if they were lethal threats, coming from enemies.
Additionally, driving a car provides a feeling of power. And, as Abraham Lincoln said, if you want to know a person, give them power. Add to this explosive mixturethe amount of visual information needed to be processed while driving: about 1300 when at 45km/h. That’s it. The invitation to battle is made.
Speaking of it…
We are at war
And it is a pointless one.
Brazil is the 5th country with most traffic-related deaths. Every year, approximately 35 thousand people die on our roads. This figure is more terrifying than the one of many wars. To make a comparison, the war in Syria registered 20 thousand fatalities in 2018.
Worldwide, traffic accidents are among the 10 main causes of death. And they are the main cause of deaths among young people between 19 and 25. This is approximately 1.35 million fatal victims per year.
In face of this scene of horror, many initiatives (such as the Yellow May, a month dedicated to awareness) are begging for truce. But to achieve peace it is necessary to avoid what makes it unattainable.
Some of the main causes
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Excessive speeding
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Drunk driving
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Texting while driving
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Neglecting the seat belt
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Neglecting the helmet
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Improper maintenance
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Not using turn signals
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Skipping turn signals
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Pedestrian imprudence
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Falling asleep
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Inappropriate overtaking
Did you know?
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90% of accidents are caused by human error. In other words, it’s only up to us. It’s not a cliché.
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A study carried out in Europe found out that speed limit signs make drivers speed more.
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Female drivers are less involved in accidents than male drivers, because women are more prudent.
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Straight roads are more dangerous than curvy ones, because they increase the driver’s confidence and reduce their levels of concentration. Many roads are designed with curves exactly because of that.
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Old cars are less involved in accidents than new ones. The reasoning is the same used in the item above. An old car decreases the driver’s confidence and requires more attention.
RESIST AND KEEP CALM IN TRAFFIC.
oR YOU MIGHT LOSE MUCH MORE THAN YOUR MIND.
Clickable sources along the text and D’Or Consultoria Health Management.
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