Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
The number of people killed in car accidents during the first 7 months of 2012 is up close to 10 percent compared to the same time period in 2011.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were close to 21,000 people who were killed in car accidents through July. This figure is up from 7-10 percent over recent years. The number of fatalities through July of 2011 were less than 20,000, which was a 1 percent decrease from 2010.
Our Boston car accident lawyers understand that state safety officials nationwide are pushing distracted-driving laws and other safety measures meant to reduce dangers on the road.
Clearly, that doesn’t seem to be working. Drivers aren’t listening and they’re losing their lives because of it. Many states, including Massachusetts, have banned all drivers from using a cell phone behind the wheel. We’ve even gone as far as prohibiting young drivers from text messaging while driving. Still, many of these states are seeing a significant number of distracted driving accident fatalities, with little to no decreases in the incidents since the passage of these laws.
Currently, the population death rate sits at just under 12 fatalities per 100,000 residents. This is an increase of 5 percent from the previous year. The mileage per death rate is also up close to 10 percent, at nearly 1.5 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Fatalities aren’t the only bad news on the rise. Accident injuries have skyrocketed, too! During the first seven months of 2012, there were more than 2 million people injured in crashes. That more than a 10 percent increase from this time last year.
If accidents, injuries and fatalities from car accidents are up from last year’s numbers then you better believe that the costs of these accidents are up, too! During the first seven months of 2012, officials estimate that these accidents cost more than $150 billion — up 20 percent from last year. Included in these costs are property damage, employer costs, administrative expenses, medical expenses and wage and productivity losses.
Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) offer drivers safe driving tips to help to reduce the risks of car accidents throughout the state. It’s important that you know what’s going on around you at all times, including your speed, as well as traffic and weather conditions.
Safe Driving Tips:
-Always make sure that you and all of your passengers are properly buckled in.
-Be aware of the traffic around you.
-Make sure that you always use your turn signal.
-Park so that you won’t have to back out, but when you have to you should turn around and physically check blind spots.
-Keep cell phones and text messaging devices out of the driver’s seat.
-Always practice defensive driving habits.
-Don’t eat or drink while driving.
-Always followed posted street signs.
-Adjust driving to accommodate current weather conditions.
Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. Call (617) 777-7777 today!
More Blog Entries:
Massachusetts Turnpike Accidents Turn Deadly, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, September 17, 2012
GHSA Officials Target Distracted and Drugged Drivers, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, September 16, 2012