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US Highway Accident Fatality Rates Are at Lowest Level in Decades

The Department of transportation has some bright news for American motorists in a year that has been rocked by Toyota’s safety issues. Last year, the number of people who died in accidents on US highways dropped to its lowest level in decades.

In 2009, according to preliminary estimates from the Department Of Transportation, 33,960 people died in accidents on our highways. That was a 9% drop from the fatality rates in 2008. It is also a drop for the sixth consecutive year since 2005. Highway accident fatality rates have been on the decline for many years now, as this blog has constantly reported.

In 2009, there were 1.16 fatalities for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled. That was a drop from 1.25 fatalities for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2008. Between 2005 and 2009, the highway fatality rates have dropped by 22%. In fact, the recent estimates relate to the 15th consecutive quarter that highway fatalities have dropped.

Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood says he has mixed feelings about these low rates. While these are very encouraging, he says, there were close to 34,000 deaths that could have been prevented.

The Secretary makes a point. Many road accidents are entirely preventable. While these numbers are an improvement, California injury lawyers would encourage stronger focus on issues that continue to threaten American motorists.

The Department of transportation is pointing to a number of factors that have contributed to this decline.

More people are buckled in than ever before.

Seatbelt usage has increased, and is currently at a national average of around 84%. Failure to wear seat belts has been found to be one of the biggest contributing factors in highway fatalities. Across the country, states including California, have invested heavily in campaigns like the “Click It or Ticket “campaign which enforces seatbelt laws. Several states have also moved on to make seat belts mandatory for all occupants in the vehicle. Data shows that seatbelt usage tends to be lower among occupants of the rear seat, who may be at serious risk when the car is involved in an accident.

Automobiles are much safer than they have been in decades.

In spite of Toyota’s safety issues, the fact is that American motorists today drive cars that are by and far safer than they have been in decades. Auto manufacturers have been proactive about introducing newer and more advanced safety features that not just minimize injuries in the event of an accident like a seatbelt or an airbag does, but also work to minimize the chances of an accident. Some of the most advanced and effective technologies have been Electronic Stability Control systems, and side airbags.

The rate of drunk driving accidents across the country has dropped.

There are fewer fatalities being traced to alcohol related accidents. That doesn’t mean that the war in drunk driving has been won. It does mean however, that efforts to keep intoxicated motorists off the road are working. However, we still need to continue focus in this area.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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