Letter to the Editor Fatal Traffic Accidents

Editor,

According to the latest issue of AAA Southern Traveler, January/February 2018 edition, the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes rose by 5.6 percent in 2016, compared to 2015. Motorcycle deaths and pedestrian deaths accounted for more than one-third of this increase. Nearly 6,000 pedestrians died in 2016 as a result of motor vehicle crashes.

The total number of traffic-related deaths in 2016 was 37,461 -- 103 deaths a day. And these numbers do not include the thousands that were injured.

Sound frightening? Yes!

The tobacco industry ads must now mention the hazards of smoking with warning labels on their packaging and print media with mentions in video advertising. Why not include warning labels on cars -- price stickers, TV, newspaper and magazine ads? Showing the perils of unsafe driving -- something the auto industry would not like.

So when you start your car today, remember that 103 people in the U.S. will die or have died today as a result of a motor vehicle traffic accident. Something to ponder.

Leonard Eisert

Bella Vista

Editorial on 01/10/2018