Road Safety & Traffic Facts Information
Injuries and deaths due to motor vehicle accidents in the United States have decreased since the 1950s, but almost 34,000 people still died in motor vehicle crashes in 2009, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
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History
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From 2008 to 2009, motor vehicle fatalities declined almost 10 percent, including motorcycle fatalities. The number of injuries also declined by more than 5 percent to just over 2 million in 2009.
Factors
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Unrestrained passengers accounted for more than half of all motor vehicle fatalities in 2009. Additionally, alcohol played a factor in almost one-third of all fatalities the same year. Speeding also accounts for up to one-third of all crashes, occurring with higher frequency during the night and on weekends.
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Location
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More fatal accidents occurred in rural settings, with approximately 5,000 fewer happening in urban areas in both 2008 and 2009. In 2007, more than half of all fatalities occurred in rural settings.
Prevention
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Decrease the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident yourself by following a few important guidelines. Always wear a seat belt, avoid driving when extremely tired and pull over to the side of the road if you start falling asleep. Concentrate on driving and keep your eyes on the road --- wait until another time or pull over to make phone calls or send texts, eat food or deal with children.
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References
- Federal Highway Administration: Home
- Michigan Tech: Traffic Safety Facts
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Motor Vehicle Safety
- Federal Highway Administration: Facts and Statistics
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Highlights of 2009 Motor Vehicle Crashes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Road Traffic Injuries
Resources
- Photo Credit car crash image by dawn from Fotolia.com
