[Overpaid Slacker]

To restate what Matt said, more or less -- yes the inattentive/distracted driver is a key element of an accident, and probably the most common cause... but the likelihood of there being an accident, especially a serious accident, increases with delta V.

I'm zipping down the highway at 85 mph, and dfbroad, doing 80 mph drifts into my lane while using rearview mirror to apply fake eyelashes.

vs.

I'm zipping down the highway at 75 mph, and dfbroad, doing 50 mph drifts into my lane while using rearview mirror to apply fake eyelashes.

75 mph is "safer" than 85, no? And as long as dfbroad is dolling herself up, it's "safer" for her to do so at 50 than at 80, no?

But, the latter fact pattern is likelier to end catastrophically, no?

Delta Speed Kills.

JP