Car accident on highway.
The National Safety Council (NSC) recently projected its preliminary estimates for 2019 traffic fatalities. The agency says that roughly 38,800 people died on U.S. roadways that year, a two percent decrease from 2018.
The good news is we are continuing to see a downward trend in traffic fatalities. For example, 2018 had a four-percent decrease in road deaths from 2017 (from 40,231 to 39,404).
Some experts are attributing this drop in traffic fatalities to safer vehicle design and emerging safety technology coming standard in new cars.
Much of America’s roadway infrastructure is unfavorable for pedestrians and bicyclists, however. Moreover, distracted driving has become a greater threat to public safety with the advent of handheld devices and infotainment systems.
Traffic fatalities Are still Too high
The bad news is, 38,800 road deaths is still too high. While safer cars and new safety technology may have a slight impact, it won’t truly bring these numbers down.
Lorraine M. Martin is the NSC president and CEO. She expressed concerns regarding the latest estimates in a recent press release.
“Thirty-eight thousand deaths is still unacceptable, even if it is fewer than in years past,” said Martin. “We are encouraged by the actions so many organizations are taking to reduce deaths, and we applaud legislation that curtails common crash causes such as impairment, distraction and speed. But as a nation, we still need to demonstrate better commitment to saving lives. Roadway deaths can be prevented by doubling down on what works, embracing technology advancements and creating a culture of safer driving.”
Human error is the leading cause of traffic fatalities
The majority of serious and fatal crashes are caused by human error. Everyday, we hear about the havoc caused by distracted drivers, drunk and drugged drivers, aggressive drivers, and speeders.
Approximately 516 people died on Arkansas roads in 2018. Among these:
134 involved a drunk driver
131 involved a speeder
When someone makes the conscious decision to endanger other road users, he or she should be held accountable.
The Arkansas car accident attorneys at McDaniel Law Firm, PLC have more than 40 years of experience helping injured people get the compensation they need. If you sustained injuries in a crash, or lost a loved one, you can count on us to take on the insurance companies and help you recover the damages owed to you.
Contact us online or call our Jonesboro at 870-336-4747 to schedule your free case evaluation.
