I've come to the conclusion that paying attention while driving is something that is done only when drivers have nothing else to do. Unfortunately, there is almost always something else competing for their attentiveness.

On terminology, I prefer to refer to these incidents as crashes and not accidents. Calling them accidents seems to infer that it was something that couldn't be avoided. I also don't like it when people say that the weather caused a wreck. If that's the case, everyone who drove in the same conditions should have wrecked. Wrecks that occur during poor weather are generally caused by drivers who refuse to adjust to deteriorating conditions.

Condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of the officer that was needlessly killed. Unfortunately, it is not a unique occurrence.