The highest rate of increase of traffic deaths between 2010 and 2016 in the world belongs to the United States. Only 5 of 29 Countries had an increase in traffic deaths during this period and the U.S. led with a 13.5 percent increase according to a study by the International Transportation Forum. The U.S. also had the highest increase in pedestrian deaths and bicyclists deaths. In the same time frame Worldwide, traffic fatalities in 2016 went down 3.6 percent.
These increases in deaths appear to be caused primarily by distracted drivers and an increase of cars on the road. Distracted driving is more prevalent in the U.S. than any other Country. Risky activities like speeding and driving while texting is proving deadly for American drivers.
The study also found that the U.S. had a high rate of per capita road deaths. The 2016 data from the National Safety Council estimates that 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016 making it the deadliest year on U.S. roads since 2007. European roads are now the safest in the world.
There are also millions more people who are seriously injured in U.S. traffic deaths, as many as 4.6 million in 2016
The 2016 U.S. data showed the following results:
· Distraction-related deaths (3,450 fatalities);
· Drowsy-driving deaths (803) fatalities);
· Drunk-driving deaths (10,497 fatalities);
· Speeding-related deaths (10,111 fatalities) increased by 4.0 percent;
· Unbelted deaths (10,248 fatalities) increased by 4,6 percent;
· Motorcyclist deaths (5,286 fatalities -the largest number of motorcyclist fatalities since 2008) increased by 5.1 percent;
· Pedestrian deaths (5,987 fatalities – highest number since 1990) increased by 9.0 percent: and
· Bicyclist deaths (840 fatalities – highest number since 1991) increased by 1.3 percent.
The National Highway Safety Administration released traffic fatality statistics for the first half of 2016 that were equally abysmal. NHSTA reported at the time, that there were 17,775 deaths on the road in the first half of the year, up 10.4% from the same period in 2015.
The Van Blois & Associates continues to represent injured motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The law firms experienced attorneys have served as powerful advocates for Californians seriously injured, disabled or killed in motor vehicle accidents.
