CAN VOTING BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH?
With the upcoming presidential election, voters should be on a higher alert than on most other days. A recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that on average, 24 more people will die in automobile crashes during voting hours in presidential elections days than on other Tuesdays during the fall. Unfortunately, that amounts to almost a 20% increase risk of death. Moreover, compared with non-election days, an additional 800 people will suffer disabling and crippling injuries.
Some of the possible reasons cited by the study for the increased risk in car crashes are drivers rushing to get to polling places either before or after work, driving on unfamiliar routes and even distractions due to their thinking about the candidates.
Sadly, the increase in deaths is not limited to elections. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has indicated that traffic deaths increase when there are more people on the road, including but not limited to, summer months, festive times when alcohol use increases, winter holidays and Superbowl Sunday.
Next month, people should exercise their right to vote. However, they need to do it carefully. Pedestrians need to be on high alert for vehicle traffic on that date and drivers can easily avoid the risk of an automobile crash by not speeding and maintaining a proper lookout for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
If you or a family member have suffered injuries in a car crash, please contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll.
