Despite the adoption of new safety features and investments in self driving technologies, deadly vehicles crashes spiked again in the U.S. according to a report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) late last year. Car accidents killed 37,461 people in 2016, up 5.6% from 2015.
After fatalities fell in six of the seven years from 2007 to 2014, this upward trend marks a terrible reversal of fortune. So what’s to blame?
While distracted driving continues to be an issue facing communities across the country, distracted driving deaths actually fell 2.2% in 2016 according to the NHTSA. The increase in deaths in 2016 was largely attributed to speeding, unbuckled passengers and an increase in motorcycle deaths. Another trend was a 9% spike in pedestrian deaths and an increase in drunk driving fatalities.
The last year in which crash deaths were higher was 2007, when 41,259 were killed.
Safety advances such as automatic emergency braking, rearview cameras, lane departure warning and advanced air bags have helped improve car safety. However, even as automakers make significant strides in safety improvements, more people continue to die on our roads.
If you or someone you care about has been injured or involved in a car or truck accident, contact the personal injury and accident attorneys at Weinstein & Cohen at 239-793-3331, or visit fairnessforall, for an absolutely free and confidential legal consultation to learn more about your options.
