The US has 41 independent cities, and St. Louis is one of them.

Located near the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, St. Louis is home to Native American Mississippian culture, making it a historically significant city in the US.

As nice as all that sounds, St. Louis has the same problem that other cities in the US have to deal with: car accidents.

One look at St. Louis’ car accident statistics, and you know things aren’t going well. In the year 2022, the city lost 79 people to traffic accidents. This was an increase from the previous year’s number.

Now, you may ask, “I follow traffic rules. What do these numbers have to do with me?”

That’s a valid question.

The answer to that lies in the fact that you may never know when disaster strikes. And when it does, the aftermath can be devastating.

So, to help the average St. Louis resident understand the gravity of the situation, we have compiled some points on what car accident statistics are all about.

Distracted Driving is Still an Issue

Before we look at how distracted driving leads to accidents, let’s take a look at the definition of distracted driving.

Distracted driving is defined as the act of operating a vehicle when the driver is focused on another task. This task can be anything from the list below.

• Answering a call
• Browsing social media
• Putting on make-up
• Fixing your hair
• Adjusting GPS
• Having an argument/conversation with the occupants of the car
• Eating while driving
• Staring at something other than the road
• Smoking
• Adjusting the rear-view mirror
• Daydreaming

Data says that between 2017 and 2021, St. Louis saw at least 7 people lose their lives to distracted driving. This emphasizes the need to be attentive when operating a vehicle. The other things can wait.

The Role of Age

Age has always played a role in motor vehicle accidents. The stereotype is that teen drivers are likely to be involved in crashes. There are also people who believe that older folks, especially ones over 70, are more vulnerable to causing accidents. The justification is that age impacts the individual’s reflexes and judgment-making skills. The impact of poor vision and hearing skills has also been considered.

The numbers from St. Louis paint a different picture.

St. Louis saw over 100 accidents due to aggressive driving. 41% of the drivers who caused these accidents were men between the ages of 20 and 29.

The Common Reasons Behind Most Accidents

The reasons for car accidents can be many, but some stand out. This is because of the frequency of accidents that are caused by it.

Based on the numbers, the most common causes of car accidents in St. Louis are discussed below.

Distracted Driving

Drivers who end up crashing into others because they were distracted are one of the top causes of car accidents in St. Louis. This is one problem that must be curbed.

Aggressive Driving

There are many reasons why drivers exhibit aggression. Traffic snarls, being late for an appointment, and being under the influence of either alcohol or drugs are some of the more common ones.

Some forms of aggressive driving behavior include:

• Excessive honking
• Tailgating
• Speeding
• Switching lanes without signaling
• Blocking other vehicles that are trying to pass

Aggressive behavior is dangerous, not just to the driver but to those who share the road with them as well.

Impaired Driving

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or banned substances is a problem that other states deal with as well.

Some residents of St. Louis would rather drive the vehicle impaired than hail a taxi or book an Uber. The result of a drunk driver taking the wheel is often disastrous.

Banned substances also have a nasty effect on the person. Depending on the substance the individual is under, they may either be hyperactive or too drowsy to operate a vehicle. Regardless, the end result is a disastrous one.

Conclusion

Although the number of car accidents in St. Louis is alarming, it shouldn’t be something for residents to pack their bags and leave.

St. Louis has plenty of positive things. The city appeared in the list of the top 20 Fun Cities in the US, has a lower cost of living, is home to some popular universities, and is a hub for biotechnology.

Drivers can stay safe in the streets of St. Louis if they just follow the rules and are considerate of the well-being of their fellow citizens.