Any traffic fatality is a tragedy, but we can take cold comfort in the fact that many such tragedies at least involve people with a purpose. We need our cars and trucks for useful functions, and that’s what many people are pursuing when they’re killed or injured while driving or riding in them. They are trying to get from point A to point B in order to reach their job, buy groceries, pick up their kids or get home in time for dinner.

But many vehicular accidents involve no purpose at all other than sheer – or mere — recreation. These accidents may range from the wildly reckless motorcyclists who terrorize Houston’s freeways by zipping between cars at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour to the thousands of people – including too many children – who take joy rides of their own on a far different vehicle: an all-terrain vehicle or ATV. (more…)

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