There have been a number of safety campaigns to help make our streets safer for everyone. Car manufacturers are equipping cars with more safety technology than ever before. Still, we’re seeing an increase in the number of car accident fatalities across the nation.
According to CNN, the number of first-quarter fatal car accidents jumped 14 percent during the first three months of 2012 compared to 2011.
During the first three months of 2011, there were less than 6,750 traffic accident fatalities recorded nationwide. During the same time this year, more than 7,600 traffic fatalities were reported.
Our Boston personal injury lawyers understand that it’s a dangerous time to be out on the road, but it seems the rest of 2012 is shaping up to be no safer. Officials are trying to figure out what contributed to the increase in fatalities. Some are speculating that it’s a result of the improvement in the economy, meaning that more motorists feel comfortable spending at the pump. Others are saying that it’s the result of the mild winter. Motorists are more likely to travel when weather conditions are better. Warmer winter weather equals more drivers. Whatever the cause may be, more drivers equates to higher risks and more accidents.
What might be most upsetting about this steep increase is that it follows years of downward trending fatality rates. Regardless of all of the safety campaigns and all of the safety technology, nothing is going to work if drivers don’t take more responsibility for their actions.
Transportation officials point out that the first quarter of each year typically produces some of the lowest rates of fatal accidents, meaning that we can only expect the following quarters to be much worse and for many more people to die on our roadways.
“These data show there is more work to be done to improve driver safety such as limiting distractions, reducing impaired driving and promoting a culture of safety among motorists,” said Jacob Nelson with the Automobile Association of America.
As a matter of fact, the increase from the first quarter or 2011 to the first quarter of 2012 serves as the second-largest increase in the number of traffic fatalities since the government started recording these numbers more than 30 years ago.
According to preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration, American motorists increased their number of vehicle miles traveled be nearly 1.5 percent. During the first three months of 2012, motorists traveled about 9.7 billion miles.
Drivers are asked to be safe out there. With seasonal travel, we’re expecting more travelers and even more accidents. Be on your best behavior behind the wheel and practice your defensive driving habits to avoid a potentially fatal accident with a dangerous and irresponsible driver.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact Attorney Jeffrey S. Glassman for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. Call 1-877-617-533
More Blog Entries:
U.S. traffic fatalities soar 13.5 percent in first quarter of 2012, by Jim Barnett, CNN
More Blog Entries:
Teen Driver Kills Motorcyclist, Raising Summer Safety Concerns, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, August 1, 2012
Mother Killed Pushing Stroller in Boston Pedestrian Accident, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, July 30, 2012