Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. Every day, about 9 people die in car accidents, and more than 2,000 are injured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there has been a spiral increase in car accidents after the pandemic. The number of fatalities increased from 37,461 in 2019 to 38,680 in 2020. This is a 3.5% increase in the number of fatalities from car accidents.
There are many reasons for this sudden increase in car accidents. One of the main reasons is that people are driving more recklessly now than before. With the stress of the pandemic, people are more likely to speed and not pay attention to their driving. There are some things every driver can do to reduce the risk of being in a car accident, one of them is to stay informed. In this article, we will share with you some car accident statistics that you need to know about.
Car accident fatalities
With more people on the road, there are more chances for accidents to happen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 37,461 fatalities in car accidents in 2018. This is a 2.4% increase from 2017 when there were 36,332 fatalities. Out of these 37,461 fatalities, 10,744 were pedestrians, 3,449 were motorcyclists, and 6,614 were occupants of passenger cars.
In Michigan alone, there has been a sharp increase in car accident fatalities. In 2019, there were 766 fatal crashes, which is a 5.3% increase from 2018. The number was down in 2020 due to the pandemic that made most of the people stay at their homes. However, as you can see at https://www.davidchristensenlaw.com/michigan-road-deaths-hit-record-highs-during-2021/, there was an increase in the number of traffic crashes and injuries in 2021. The rising numbers are going over 10% throughout the state of Michigan. This is mainly because the almost empty roads encourage the drivers to speed.
This data paints a grim picture of the current state of car accidents in the United States. However, it is important to remember that these numbers can be reduced by being aware of the dangers on the road and taking precautions while driving. Some simple tips for reducing your risk of being in a car accident include wearing your seatbelt, not using your phone while driving, and avoiding distractions while driving.
Seat belt accidents
In 2018, the NHTSA reports that 48% of passenger vehicle occupants who were killed were not wearing seat belts. This highlights the importance of wearing your seat belt while driving. Seat belts are the single most effective way to reduce your risk of being killed in a car accident. Even if you are a good driver, you cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road. Wearing your seat belt gives you the best chance of surviving a car accident.
Not using your phone while driving
Using your phone while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the road. It can be very difficult to pay attention to the road when you are trying to focus on a phone call or send a text. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving was a factor in over 3500 fatal crashes every year. If you must use your phone while driving, pull over to a safe location and focus on the road.
Avoiding distractions while driving
Many things can distract you while driving, such as talking to passengers, eating, or changing the radio station. It is important to focus on the road while you are driving and avoid any distractions. Distracted driving can lead to serious accidents.
Major causes of car accidents
Drunk driving
According to the NHTSA, over 10,000 people are killed in drunk driving accidents every year. If you are going to drink, do not drive. If you must drive, make sure you have a designated driver or take a cab home.
In addition to risking your own life, you are a liability to other drivers on the road when you drive drunk. If you are involved in a car accident while under the influence of alcohol, you could be facing serious legal consequences.
Driving under the influence of drugs
Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Drugs can impair your ability to drive and make it more difficult to pay attention to the road. If you are taking prescription medication, make sure you check with your doctor before getting behind the wheel.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Speeding makes it more difficult to control your car and increases your risk of being in a serious accident.
If you are going to be driving on the highway, make sure you obey the speed limit. Do not try to rush to your destination. The slower you drive, the more time you have to react to unexpected situations on the road.
Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. By being aware of the dangers on the road and taking precautions while driving, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe.