The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced that the number and rate of traffic fatalities in 2010 dropped to the lowest levels since 1949. This decrease in deaths caused by auto accidents reportedly occurred even though there was an increase in the number of miles Americans drove during 2010.
In reflecting on 2010 preliminary statistics, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated, “We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first.” He noted that while the decrease in fatalities is definitely an achievement, there is still much that needs to be done to prevent motor vehicle collisions.
When looking at the 2010 statistics on a regional level, the greatest decrease in fatalities was by 12 percent and took place in the region of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. The next greatest decline at almost 11 percent occurred in Arizona, California, and Hawaii. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projections, the number of traffic fatalities dropped three percent between 2009 and 2010, from 33,808 to 32,788.
A few of the ways in which the DOT has helped lower traffic fatalities is through the promotion of strong traffic safety laws, high-visibility enforcement, vehicle safety programs, and public awareness campaigns. In addition, the NHTSA launched an updated five-star rating system in 2010 that created stricter crash-test standards and started giving consumers improved data about which cars perform best in crashes.
Even with the NHTSA creating and introducing safety initiatives to help make our roads safer, every motorist has a responsibility to drive safely and attentively to help prevent accidents. Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. If you or someone you care about has suffered injuries in a vehicle collision that was caused by a negligent driver, you have certain legal rights. The Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP will work diligently to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve from negligent parties. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.
