Alcohol can also cause alterations in the vestibular system for short periods of time and will result in vertigo and possibly nystagmus. This is due to the variable viscosity of the blood and the endolymph during the consumption of alcohol. The common term for this type of sensation is the Bed Spins.
They pose a threat that's both tragic -- and expensive. All-told, each traffic fatality costs an average of $6 million dollars -- everything from medical and emergency services to lost earnings. A traffic injury averages $126,000, and almost 33,000 people die every year on the nation's roads.
By far the biggest cause of road accidents is driver/rider error or reaction, which causes 68% of all crashes. The top ten most common causes of traffic accidents are: 1  Failed to look properly 35%. 2  Failed to judge other persons's path or speed 18.9%.  Careless, reckless or in a hurry 16.2%.