Beware crazed drivers during voting season Published Oct. 28, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Wallace Greenwood Air Force Recruiting Service Safety RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- We are all lucky to live in the greatest country in the world, and as a result, we have a personal stake and obligation in controlling how this country is governed. As you get ready to vote this year, if you haven't already, add one more thing to your "to do list" - make it to and from the polling station in one piece. News reports cite the recently released results of a study that analyzed traffic accidents that took place around Election Day from 1976 to 2004. Surprisingly, the study found there was an 18 percent increase in traffic fatalities and 800 more disabling injuries nationwide on Election Day. Now, by no means should this be interpreted as a reason not to vote. It should, however, give cause for all to be a little more aware of the crazed drivers around us. The reports say the researchers couldn't isolate exactly what caused the spike in accidents, but they did identify a few potential contributing factors. They are: -- Emotions run high during election season as people work adamantly to get their preferred candidate into office. -- People rush to voting stations before or after work. -- Voters drive on unfamiliar routes to the polling stations. -- Drivers are distracted by their thoughts on the way to the polling station. Then are also other external factors that officials say contribute significantly to additional traffic around Election Day such as students being out of school and store sales. We should all play our part in the political process to ensure our ideals and beliefs are represented. Just ensure that in the process of getting your voice heard on Election Day that you don't end up a statistic on the local news. Safety isn't someone else's business, it's everyone's business.