Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
The invention of cars in the 1800’s was a big turning point for humanity. The creation of cars came with many benefits, such as making travel time shorter than ever. However, it has not been smooth sailing since. Each year, there are roughly six million crashes in the United States. Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States and internationally. Over 100 people in the United States die daily in car accidents. Car accidents have become a public health concern for many.
Because many car accidents are preventable, agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have devoted extensive time and effort to researching this topic. Their mission statement “save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes” emphasizes their priority of improving transportation safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also creates and implements vehicle performance standards. This agency works alongside local and state governments to work towards their goal of keeping Americans safe on the road. In the following article, we will be sharing their latest findings from the year 2021.
Latest Findings from NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report that details statistics around motor vehicle accidents in 2021. The first major finding in this report was that over 42,000 Americans passed away from a car accident in the U.S last year. This is higher than previous annual reports, highlighting the need for safer roads, cars and more. In 2020, this statistic was found to be around 38,000; an increase of 4,000 deaths in 2021. This is a 10.5% increase in car related deaths in one year alone, making it the highest increase in history.
For many, an increase is not surprising, considering there were more cars on the road in 2021. 2020 was the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, so people were not driving as much due to the shift to remote work and travel restrictions. The Federal Highway Administration did confirm that miles traveled did increase 11% in 2021. However, fatality increases were relatively large compared to previous increases. For example, multi-vehicle fatalities went up 16% as did fatalities on urban roads. Additionally, deaths among elderly drivers increased 14%, while pedestrian fatalities increased 13%. Elders were not the only age group to have an increase in fatalities, ages 25 to 65 also saw an increase in car crash fatalities.
The darkness at night has often been an influential factor in deadly car accidents. But in 2021, there was also a significant increase in daytime fatalities. There was even an increase in motorcyclist and bicyclist fatalities. Seeing increases in all these different areas is a big concern for many and has emphasized the need for change.
Applying the Results
Since these estimates have been released, many agencies and individuals have been working to decrease the number of fatalities. For one, the U.S Department of Transportation has released their National Roadway Safety Strategy that is receiving funding from Biden’s new infrastructure law. This program is estimated to allocate over 6 billion dollars to enhancing road safety. Additionally, some changes will occur such as updating guidance on traffic lights, driving speeds, lane markings and more.
Since releasing their findings, the NHTSA has launched a “Click It or Ticket” campaign to provide education and awareness about seatbelts. They have also established a program that works alongside states to decrease car related fatalities. Additionally, they have allocated over $740 million in funding for states to use to increase transportation safety in at risk populations.
While cars assist Americans across the country in many ways, cars can be dangerous. The latest findings in the NHTSA report showed increases in car fatality statistics. These results are concerning and have prompted action for change. The government has started implementing programs to slow down the increasing number of car deaths. Because it is likely that you or someone you know will be involved in a car accident, being knowledgeable on what to do can make all the difference.
Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
Being in a car accident can be a scary situation that can leave you feeling unsure about what to do next. If you have been in a car accident, Orlando personal injury lawyer Todd Miner can help you seek justice and fair compensation. To discuss how we can help you, contact us today.
