In a millisecond our lives changed

the data shows 1.35 million highway deaths in 2016 and again in 2018, the latest official data currently available.

That may represent some stabilization — the toll is unchanged since the start of the U.N. program, but at least it isn’t higher — although virtually no one thinks nearly 1,350,000 deaths every year is an acceptable rate. How could they? Globally, crash injuries are the eighth leading cause of death for all age groups, and the #1 cause of death for children and people aged 5 to 29.

A couple of factors make the death toll especially tragic and frustrating.

First, the vast majority of accidents are preventable. They did not have to happen. The cause was speeding, drowsiness, carelessness or some other driver error, not brakes failing or the gas pedal getting stuck. (See story, right.)

Second, more than half of all victims of traffic accidents are so-called vulnerable users, meaning pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcylists. They too often bear the burden and pay the penalty for the less than cautious habits of car drivers who are encased in a steel cage and may be wearing seat belts and have the benefit of airbags.

Some solutions

The World Health Organization says a number of factors big and small would help lower the worldwide highway death toll. They include improved emergency response time, since minutes and even seconds count in getting the injured to hospitals; also, although none of us like to be on the receiving end of traffic enforcement, WHO cites lax enforcement of traffic laws as a significant contributing factor in reducing road accidents and deaths.

Ultimately, however, putting the brakes on the “it won’t happen to me” mentality might be the greatest single way to bring home the reality that every driver — that includes you and me — is the first line of defense against accidents and all their deadly consequences.

The Christmas holidays were over, and we were on our way home from Atlanta to Daytona Beach. Six hours into our seven-hour drive home, we anticipated sunny, warm weather and days on the beach. And then in a flash, someone failed to pay attention to traffic slowing before him. A speeding pickup truck rammed into the back of the slowing compact car. The impact was brutal, pushing the little car into the next car and the next car. Our nightmare began with a 5-car pileup. We were sandwiched in the middle of the pile. Our cars looked like a mangled accordion.

In a millisecond, metal crunched, windshields cracked, airbags deployed, and our lives instantly morphed into something else. Gone were our dreams of being on the beach the next day. Gone were the plans of celebrating New Years eve. The day turned into a nightmare. My husband lost consciousness. The impact was so hard it knocked the shoes off his feet. An ambulance arrived promptly. My injuries were minor: a broken thumb and some burns from the air bag. My husband had more serious injuries. The EMTs got him on a board and secured his neck. He was having chest pains. We weren’t sure if it was his heart or if it was from the seat belt’s effect from the impact. They monitored him and got us to the ER quickly. A troubling trip through the ER and an overnight stay in the hospital confirmed no immediate, life threatening injuries. But there was more to come.

Further evaluation indicated that he had a concussion. In addition, we both had soft tissue injuries with assorted pains. The concussion caused my husband a lot of trouble. Along with headaches, he had trouble following conversation and remembering things. He went through 8 weeks of speech therapy and physical therapy, but progress was very slow. I wanted my husband back, but unfortunately that was going to take awhile. His progress was slow and his pain continued. He had two more episodes of losing consciousness. Further MRI testing showed a “hot spot” on the brain that could result in a life-threatening seizure. A neurologist prescribed an anti-seizure medication as a precaution, and will re-evaluate the need for the medication over time.

It has been 14 months now, and my husband is just getting back to his old self. We both have PTSD from the accident. Driving in heavy traffic and cars tailgating brings on anxiety and panic. While it has been a challenge, we are determined to stay on track.

He has been frustrated with the pain in his body and the trouble going on in his head, but he kept a positive attitude the whole time. He’s a determined man and never gives up. We keep repeating: We will get back to where we were. Fake it ’til you make it, one mile at a time.

— submitted to the Examiner by Ann Marie Morgan Daytona Beach, Florida