Auto racing is inherently dangerous. But, in some ways, it's safer than driving on the street.

A racecar driver is a dangerous occupation, I think we can all agree. Consider Formula 1, Indy or NASCAR racing. Formula 1 and Indy drivers hit speeds up to around 230 mph. NASCAR average top speeds of about 193 mph. That’s not as fast as Formula 1 or Indy, but it’s still pretty darn fast.

Clearly, a racecar driver needs endurance, nerves of steel and lightning reflexes. They must have the capacity to focus on their driving without distractions. They need to be aware of their position while responding to drivers that will try to pass them and looking for opportunities to pass other drivers.

Racecar drivers must be prepared for any eventuality. Another car blows a tire and leaves chunks of rubber on the road. Hitting a chunk of rubber when you’re driving around 200 mph is no laughing matter. Doing so is liable to send a car spinning into the wall.

What if another car bumps a driver’s car? What if a collision between two or more cars occurs right in front of a driver? Will they join the crackup, or will they negotiate the accident and stay in the race? But, in many ways, racecar drivers have it better than those of us driving on the roads.

The dangers of driving on the streets

Most racecar drivers don’t have to worry about cross traffic. They don’t have to worry about someone blowing a stop sign or stop light and materializing in front of them. For the most part, they don’t have to worry about children, pets or pedestrians in general walking into traffic in front of them. These are constant risks for drivers on the streets.

Racecar drivers don’t have to worry about other drivers changing lanes without looking. They don’t have to worry about that guy who missed his turn and decided to take the exit anyhow, even though that means cutting across the path of other drivers.

Maintenance of your vehicle is also key to safe driving. Mechanical failures can cause accidents, too.

Racecar drivers don’t have to worry about other drivers who are texting or on their cell phones. NASCAR, Indy and Formula 1 frown on that kind of activity as much or more than police who patrol the roads. A racecar driver, knowing how completely his attention is required for driving, wouldn’t even think to text while driving. But, if a driver was so foolish, the racing organization they compete in would pull their license lickety-split. 

Racecar drivers also know that the other drivers are as attentive to driving as they are. But, on the road, it often seems that driving is a secondary process for many of the drivers. Whether on that cell phone, eating a burger from a fast-food joint, or fixing their makeup, drivers on the road frequently seem to find driving a distraction from their other activities.

Then we have the question of the reliability of their vehicles. This is a big question – bigger than you might think.

What is the condition of the brakes on the car behind you while you drive? Will one of their tires blow? Will a muffler fall of creating a hazard for other drivers? Are their wipers keeping the windshield clear so they can see where they’re going? 

Racecar drivers and their pit crews work tirelessly to ensure that their racecars are in tip-top condition before racing. What fraction of that attention do drivers on the roads pay to maintaining their vehicles?