Been a drive instructor in NW Indiana for almost 10 years now, and I could probably write a book on what I've seen out there on the roads. Besides experience I think technology is one of the biggest factors involving accidents and lack of awareness. Texting and checking out social media seems to be more important than arriving somewhere safely. I also think there are a lot more drivers, everyone's in a rush, and have a lot less patience and courtesy when it comes to other drivers on the road. Kids as passengers also don't pay attention like we used to when we were younger, they are either on their phone or tablet and when it comes time for them to start driving they seem to be lacking from a road awareness stand point. It starts at home with good modeling from parent drivers, but there are also more single parent households where kids just don't get that time behind the wheel before they get their license which is so beneficial.
I had a kid from Wheeler HS, who I had driven 2 or 3 times at the end of the summer or beginning of this school year. I probably told him at least 10 times on each of those drives watch your speed, you need to slow down, or actually used my brake on him. Drove him again later in the fall, and he was extremely cautious with his speed. What changed? Was it me repeating over and over to watch his speed? No. A girl leaving his school was involved in a 1 car crash, going well over the speed limit (in a 35 zone) lost control and hit a tree head on. That was what it took for him to realize he needs to watch his speed. Unfortunate it takes a loss of life for the reality to hit home for some of these kids.