Final answer:
Driver error is the most common cause of traffic crashes; statistical analysis can be used to verify the accuracy of this claim. High accident rates may lead to the installation of traffic signals for improved safety. Understanding the dynamics of driving and collision helps explain the occurrence and impact of accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common cause of traffic crashes is driver error. A study by the American Automobile Association indicates that driver error accounts for approximately 54 percent of all fatal auto accidents. In an analysis of 30 randomly selected fatal accidents, 14 were caused by driver error. To assess the accuracy of the AAA's stated proportion, we can apply statistical methods using a significance level (α) of 0.05.
Furthermore, increasing traffic accidents have sometimes led to the installation of traffic signals at dangerous intersections. Situations where accidents occur frequently, such as three times a month or more, and include fatalities, are clear indicators that traffic control measures are necessary. Additionally, the physics of driving, such as reaction rates and collision theory, are essential in understanding how and why accidents occur and the potential severity of car crashes.