Motor Vehicle Accidents
In every motor vehicle accident (MVA), there are actually two collisions. The first is the impact of the vehicle. The second is the "human collision." If a car travelling 40 MPH collides with a stationary object, the human collision will take place at the same velocity. This is why unbelted occupants are so much more seriously injured than belted occupants. Imagine what it feels like to bang your chest against a steering wheel, or your head against a windshield --at 40 MPH! While that might not seem pleasant, ejection from a vehicle is even worse. The fact is that three-quarters of occupants who are ejected from passenger cars are killed. The best way to limit the human collision, and protect against ejection, is with a seatbelt. For the year 1995, only 2% of restrained passenger car occupants were ejected, compared to 25% of unrestrained occupants. Research has shown that lap/shoulder belts, when used properly, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45% and the risk of moderate-critical injury by 50%. The proper use of seat belts is estimated to save 9,500 lives each year. Put simply: Seat Belts Work. They are the "cure" to the "disease."
Persons with heart disease are especially sensitive to carbon monoxide poisoning and may experience chest pain if they breathe the gas while exercising. Infants, elderly persons, and individuals with respiratory diseases are also particularly sensitive. Carbon monoxide can affect healthy individuals, imparing exercise capacity, visual perception, manual dexterity, learning functions, and ability to perform complex tasks. The EPA motor vehicle program has achieved considerable success in reducing carbon monoxide emissions. EPA standards in the early 1970's prompted automakers to improve basic engine design. By 1975, most new cars were equipped with catalytic converters designed to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Catalysts typically reduce carbon monoxide emissions upwards of 80 percent. In the early 1980's, automakers introduced more sophisticated converters, plus on-board computers and oxygen sensors to help optimize the efficiency of the catalytic converter. Clearly, education pertaining to the enormous benefit of seat belt use must continue. Additionally, a primary seat belt law should be passed at the Federal level, and law enforcement must be consistent and aggressive. Nationwide, two-thirds of the carbon monoxide emissions come from transportation sources, with the largest contribution coming from highway motor vehicles. In urban areas, the motor vehicle contribution to carbon monoxide pollution can exceed 90 percent.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1164
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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