TOPIC: Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows 43,220 people died in auto accidents in 2003, which is the highest number since 1990 when 44,529 deaths occurred, according to an article by The Associated Press. Of those who were killed last year, 58 percent were not wearing seat belts. Both motorcycle deaths and SUV fatalities increased by 11 percent. The report also stated 17,401 of auto deaths in 2003 were alcohol-related.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Jim Smith is vice president of training for Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, the oldest and most respected professional driver training company. He joined Smith System in 1981 and received his initial training from Harold L. Smith, the originator of the Smith System. He has trained hundreds of client trainers and thousands of drivers in Smith System classroom seminars and in on-road, behind-the-wheel programs throughout the world. Despite billions spent on vehicle safety improvements, highway fatalities in 2003 reached their highest level since 1990. Traffic accidents remain the number one cause of on-the-job deaths. Drivers need to be taught collision avoidance techniques. These are concepts that don't naturally occur to drivers, they must be consciously practiced to become unconscious habits. How do you change driving habits? Most collisions are preventable if the right precautions are learned, practiced and used consistently.

Professor Rahim Benekohal, of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is an expert regarding traffic safety and civil engineering.

Professor Peter Hancock, of the University of Central Florida, Department of Psychology, can share his expertise concerning traffic accidents and human response.

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Source: ExpertSource

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