It’s hard to believe that even with all of the safety innovations of the last ten years, there was yet again an increase in traffic fatalities in the year 2016.
In 2016, 37,461 people were killed on U.S. roadways. This is a 5.6 percent increase from 2015.
Let’s break down the numbers and see what this actually means:
- 94% of all serious car and vehicle crashes are linked to human error. To that end, drunk-driving deaths (10,497 fatalities) increased by 1.7 percent and speeding-related deaths (10,111 fatalities) increased by 4.0 percent. Deaths that resulted becaused of misuse or lack of use of a seat belt also increased by 4.6 percent.
- Unfortunately, motorcycle deaths (5,286 fatalities) increased by 5.1 percent. Pedestrian deaths increased by 9.0 percent and bicyclist deaths also increased by 1.3 percent.
- The news wasn’t all bad. In 2016, the number of people killed by distraction related vehicle deaths (texting and driving, eating while driving, phone use while driving, etc) decreased by 2.2 percent. Drowsy-driving deaths also decreased by 3.5 percent.
These numbers simply prove that while vehicles are safer now than they ever been, it is also up to drivers to utilize the safety features on their vehicles and to make certain that they are focused on driving and fit to do so.
Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm in Roanoke, Virginia has 30 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer. If you or someone you love has been injured in due to someone else’s negligence, call The Thomson Law Firm today for a FREE consultation (540) 777-4900 .
