Submitted by Aiken Jacobsen on
We have often posted about the dangers of distracted driving, as well as the common causes. Distracted driving often results in car accidents. One distraction we have yet to discuss is noise.
We don't always realize it, but drivers rely on their ears for safety almost as much as their eyes. When a driver has his stereo so loud that he can't even hear emergency vehicle sirens, an accident becomes very likely.
This was the case earlier this month in Sacramento County. A fire engine collided with a smaller passenger vehicle while attempting to respond to an emergency call. The accident was blamed on the fact that the driver of the smaller car had his music playing loudly enough that he did not hear the sirens of the fire engine.
The accident occurred as the fire engine was approaching an intersection which connects with exits from Highway 50. The passenger vehicle had just exited the highway and suddenly came to a stop in the middle of the intersection, directly in the fire engine's path. The driver of the fire engine did not have time to stop and had no room to swerve out of the way. He had no choice but to hit the smaller vehicle.
Two firemen and the driver of the smaller car were all injured in the accident and had to be taken to local hospitals for treatment. It is unclear if any charges will be filed, but police are investigating the accident.
Because this driver chose to listen to his music so loudly, he was unable to hear the sounds of emergency vehicles. This constitutes driver negligence and distracted driving. This bad decision resulted in injuries to the driver, the firemen, and damage to both vehicles. The accident also compromised the safety of whoever originally needed the help of the firemen. They were unable to respond to the emergency call due to the accident.
When a driver impairs his own sense of hearing, he puts himself and others in danger. Music which is too loud is a form of distracted driving, and it can have serious consequences.
Source: News 10 online, "Sac Metro fire engine hits stopped car, 3 hurt," C. Johnson, 09 February 2011
