Car accident numbers have gone up by 14% at the start of 2020.
But what does that actually mean? It should never be easy to talk about fatalities, in any quantity, and car accident deaths per year can be particularly difficult and confusing to measure.
Why should you find out more about this crucial aspect of our lives?
Keep reading to find out how you can avoid tragedy in your own life.
Table of Contents
Making Sense of the Number of Car Accident Deaths per Year
The topic can quickly bring one down, and cause confusion about categorization.
For example, when we say “car accident injury” or “car accident death” are we talking about exclusively cars, or motorcycles as well? What about semi tractor-trailers? Are these vehicular death on a highway, surface roads, rural roads, or no road at all? How many were suicides, accidental, or even intentional deaths?
The topic can quickly bring one down, and cause confusion about categorization.
Why is it practical? Since 2014, Americans have been spending an additional 20 minutes in their car each week, excluding 2020. This accounts for 70 billion hours per year, in total.
Semi Tractor-Trailers: A Look at Data
2008 saw a sharp decline in fatalities involving semi tractor-trailers, on an already downward trend. However, since 2009, they’ve been on the rise again, with 2018 culminating in 11% of all deaths involving a motor vehicle crash with a semi tractor-trailer. Fully one-third of those occurring on interstates and freeways, and half of the deaths occurring on other major roads.
This would indicate that while attention should be paid on freeways to large trucks, it’s actually on other major roads where there is more danger. Many of these deaths could have been because a driver was in error. It’s more likely that drivers are making risky decisions regarding passing trucks, riding their bumpers, or braking sharply in front of them.
Why? The same report shows that deaths per 100 million miles driven are on a steep downward decline since 1979. This despite motor vehicle drivers increasing at a nearly inverse proportion since 1979. Where has the highest increase of drivers? Urban interstate and “urban other” (major roads) show a massive increase, matching the location of semi tractor-trailer fatalities.
As we can see, taking one statistic out of context can make truckers look like they’re to blame, when it could be normal passengers. What should you do if you or a family member get into an accident, fatal or otherwise, with truckers or other passenger cars? These suggestions can help you out.
Resolution: Reduce Car Accident Deaths per Year
So what is your resolution? Ours is to be informed and take action to reduce car accident deaths per year in the USA. Everyone has to play their part, from being alert to reducing distractions like smartphones.
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