With a new year, how about everyone start fresh and try to drive more carefully? Traffic safety officials have noted an increase in fatal crashes since 2019 as drivers got a bit reckless in the pandemic. With 2022 starting, AAA of Michigan asks everyone to follow some basic safety guidelines. AAA Michigan spokesperson Adrienne Woodland tells WSJM News there’s a gap when it comes to perceiving danger.
“Over the years AAA has done several surveys,” Woodland said. “In these surveys, we’ve found that drivers consistently show a gap between their perceptions of danger and self reported behavior when it comes to crash risks, and ultimately we need drivers to do what they know is the right thing.”
Woodland says it’s important to avoid distractions behind the wheel, drive sober, buckle up, and share the road with others. Another big tip is to slow down. According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, there were 1,083 lives lost in traffic crashes in 2020, the most since 2007.
