Accidents have been a huge, inevitable risk for as long as automobiles have been around. Government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and NHTSA play a crucial role in collecting and publishing car accident statistics, providing authoritative data for analysis.

Over the years, various factors have subsequently increased and reduced this average. Official reports and data from NHTSA and other departments help track trends in car accident statistics over time, offering valuable insights into changing patterns and causes.

In reviewing how the United States is performing, we’ve found simple actions you can do to prevent yourself from becoming a statistic, based on analyzing recent trends and data.

6% Increase Fatal Deaths

In 2016, there was a drastic increase in fatal deaths due to car accidents, with an estimated number of fatalities making it the deadliest year on the roads in a decade. This number rose 14% since 2014, compared to a 7.7% increase in 2014 and a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.

The fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled also increased in 2016, reversing previous downward trends and highlighting growing concerns about roadway safety.

This is a record high we haven’t seen in 50 years. Speculations say that it might have increased due to more vehicle miles traveled from cheaper gas prices and lower unemployment, and the increase in fatal deaths was reflected in both the total number and the fatality rate.

United States: #1 Worst Performing

The United States has seen a 31% reduction in its motor vehicle fatality rates per capita over the past 13 years, showing some progress in reducing fatalities. However, most countries have made greater progress in lowering fatality rates, with 19 other wealthy countries experiencing an average decline of 56% during the same period. The U.S. lags behind most countries in terms of progress, having the slowest decrease in fatality rates.

50 Years Ago Versus Now

Even though The United States is not performing the best out of some countries in the world, it’s encouraging to see positive trends in the average rate of car accidents over the decades. Taking a 10 year span from 2005-2015 and 1955-1965, we have decreased an average of 108 car accidents per 100,000 population.

• 1955-1965: average rate of 237 car accidents per 100,000 population
• 2005-2015: average rate of 129 car accidents per 100,000 population

Road Infrastructure and Traffic Laws

The safety of our roads depends on more than just the actions of drivers—it’s also shaped by the quality of road infrastructure and the effectiveness of traffic laws. According to the Federal Highway Administration, well-designed and properly maintained roads can make a significant difference in reducing motor vehicle crashes and fatal crashes. For example, roads with clear signage, adequate lighting, and well-marked pedestrian crossings help protect not only drivers but also pedestrians and cyclists who share the road.

When traffic laws are strictly enforced—such as speed limits, right-of-way rules, and regulations for pedestrian crossings—the risk of road traffic crashes and fatalities drops considerably. Poorly maintained roads, missing signs, or inadequate infrastructure can increase the likelihood of vehicle crashes, putting everyone at greater risk. Improvements like adding bike lanes, updating traffic signals, and creating safer intersections are proven ways to reduce crashes and save lives.

Ultimately, the combination of robust traffic laws and smart road design helps ensure that all vehicles, whether cars, trucks, or bicycles, can travel more safely. As our cities and communities grow, ongoing investment in road infrastructure and the enforcement of traffic laws remain essential to reducing fatalities and making our roads safer for everyone.

What Helped Reduce These Statistics:

• The invention and improvements of seat belts from a lap belt to a three-point belt, which help reduce fatalities and serious injury among passengers
• Airbags for when impacts happen, also playing a key role in reducing serious injury and fatalities
• Medians in the road that prevent head-on collisions
• Traffic signals and signage keeping
• Making drinking and driving illegal

These safety measures have significantly helped reduce fatalities and serious injuries, especially for passengers.

How Do We Decrease These Statistics

94% of all vehicle-related incidents are caused by some form of human error, with distraction and distracted driving being major contributors. This is a staggering number and could be greatly reduced by just a few simple changes in habits as you set out on your daily commute.

Other factors, such as driver age, sex, vehicle type, and crash circumstances, also affect accident rates and should be considered when analyzing traffic safety.

Here’s how you can try to prevent an accident, especially from an innocent oversight:

Wear Your Seatbelt

Seat belt use has played a major part in saving lives, serving as a critical safety device in motor vehicles. Only recently have they become a major issue and an actual required law enforced to help prevent deaths. More than half of vehicle fatalities involve unrestrained passengers. Nearly 35% of all vehicle deaths are from rollover accidents and the majority of those people were not wearing their seat belts. Wearing a seat belt can significantly reduce the risk of death and serious injury. With a simple two-second habit improvement (buckle up!), a potential 3,000 lives could be saved per year. That’s huge.

Avoid Distractions

Until technology advances to a point where cars will be truly driver-free, it’s best to avoid anything tech-related that could pose a risk to safe driving. Distraction and distracted driving are leading causes of crashes, contributing significantly to crash statistics and increasing the risk of injury or fatality. This includes texting, phone calls, and even using something like Google Maps or Waze when in motion. If you need to plug-in an address for directions, do it when parked and before you pull out into traffic. If you have a passenger, make them responsible for re-calculating your drive or pull into a parking lot to do it yourself. If you must take a call, utilize a Bluetooth headset or internal car speaker system. Many cars are equipped now with voice activation and control, which is essential in ensuring that we remain focused on safely navigating our vehicles.

Don’t Drive Under the Influence

In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in most states is 0.08, which is set to help prevent impaired driving crashes and reduce fatalities. This is nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States and should be taken extremely seriously. Please prevent yourself or others from wanting to drive under the influence. A cab costs much less than a DUI. If you suspect a person that might be impaired – call the local police.

Obey All Speed Limits

With people running late, slow drivers, bumper-humpers, and those Fast & Furious movies that bring out the worst in all of us drivers, it’s hard to obey the speed limit all the time. We get it. But in 2014, there were over 9,262 death related accidents from speeding in a vehicle. Higher travel speeds are associated with increased accident rates and more severe outcomes, as faster-moving vehicles have less time to react and collisions tend to be more serious. With the few seconds or minutes you save, it’s seriously not worth it.

Despite all this, you may still find yourself in an accident. What do you do then? Download our free ebook, 7 Mistakes Accident Victims in Washington Make and How to Avoid Them. Elsner Law Firm is here to help. If you have a personal injury claim related to an accident, give us a call today.