This week - FIVE intentional crashes called "accidents"

We at the Crash Coalition feel strongly that media should avoid using the word “accident” in reference to nearly every roadway incident. 

We often hear pushback from people who claim that it can be called an “accident” as long as it’s not intentional.   We disagree, believing crimes like drunk, drugged and distracted crashes are not “accidents”. 

However, just this week there have been numerous examples of media describing intentional crashes as “accidents”.  Intentional accident is an oxymoron. 

From this week alone:

CBS – Los Angeles

• “He says he has no doubt the driver of the Prius backed into the other car intentionally”

Seattle Times – Washington

• Road-rage incident leaves 1 dead

WHIO – Dayton, Ohio

• Driver “crossed the interstate and apparently drove intentionally head on into a semi”

CBCNews – Canada

• “Police are blaming the accident on "road rage".

Aspen Daily News – Colorado

• “Murder suspect may have tried to kill himself in car accident”