A perspective

[mystic]

As many readers may know, the numbers of Americans killed by terrorists and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are minuscule compared to the numbers killed in motor vehicles. The extent of the difference, however, may not be common knowledge. About 3,00 persons died as a result of the 9/11 attacks and about 2,000 soldiers have died in the wars. Compared to the 5,000 fatalities from these causes, an estimated 200,000 Americans(based on NHST data) have been killed in motor vehicle accidents since 9/11.

Even cell phone use may be killing more Americans than terrorists and the wars. The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis has linked cell phone use while driving to 6 percent of motor vehicle accidents. Assuming 6 percent of the 200,000 fatalities were cell phone related, an estimated 12,000 deaths could be attributed to cell phone use since 9/11.

Of course the number of deaths from terrorists using weapons of mass destruction is potentially greater than motor vehicle fatalities. The idea of those weapons in the hands of suicide bombers is terrifying! The fear of future terrorism is understandable. For the time being, however, it may be more rational to fear vehicles and their drivers.