Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths Hit A Record High in 2016

The National Safety Council recently released estimates that 40,200 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016. This is the first time that more than 40,000 people died on U.S. roads in car crashes since before the Great Recession.

Everyone needs to work together to reduce the number of annual traffic fatalities and injuries. If everyone paid attention while driving on the road a majority of the accidents could be prevented.  Don’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive. Don’t apply makeup, or reach in the backseat, or turn to talk to your kids while driving. Always buckle up, and don’t speed.

One way to reduce the number of motor vehicle related deaths in the US is to simply pay attention when driving, and always keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

To properly address this nation-wide epidemic, Deborah Hersman, president of the National Safety Council, stated “Many times, people act like there’s nothing we can do to prevent these crashes, but at the end of the day they’re all preventable,” With that she calls for stricter seat belt laws, more enforcements of speed limits, and increased restrictions on cell phone use in vehicles.

According to the 2016 National Safety Council :

• The cost of traffic deaths, injuries and property damage in 2016 totaled $432.5 billion dollars.
• 6% increase in traffic fatalities from 2015 to 2016
• In 2015 the United States saw the first largest increase in traffic deaths in 50 years — 7.2% from the prior year.

With this number predicted to increase, there are many ways one can prevent an accident from occurring. Follow these easy tips to remember while on the road according to Nationwide:

• Focus on driving. Don’t multitask while driving and make sure you’re always paying attention while driving.
• Be a defensive driver. Always be cautious of what other drivers are doing, and expect the unexpected to occur.
• Wear your safety belt at all time. Before you begin your drive, make sure not only you, but your passengers are buckled up. If you have small children in the car make sure their car seat is aligned with the proper height, weight and age standards.
• Don’t drive tired. Your risk of a fatal accident triples while driving at night. Be aware that some medications cause drowsiness and make operating a vehicle very dangerous.

Let’s work together to make 2017 a safe driving year for everyone.

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