The National Safety Council recently released estimates that 40,200 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016. It is the first time that more than 40,000 people died on U.S. roads in car crashes since before the Great Recession.
Everyone needs to work together to reduce the number of annual traffic fatalities and injuries. Most of these accidents are preventable if everyone would pay attention on the roads when driving. Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t apply lipstick, or reach in the backseat, or turn to yell at your kids while driving. Always buckle up, and don’t speed.
One way to reduce the number of motor vehicle related deaths in the US is to simply pay attention when driving, and always keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
To properly address this nation-wide epidemic, Deborah Hersman, president of the National Safety Council, stated “Many times, people act like there’s nothing we can do to prevent these crashes, but at the end of the day they’re all preventable,” With that she calls for stricter seat belt laws, more enforcements of speed limits, and increased restrictions on cell phone use in vehicles.
According to the 2016 National Safety Council :
- The cost of traffic deaths, injuries and property damage in 2016 totaled $432.5 billion dollars.
- 6% increase in traffic fatalities from 2015 to 2016
- In 2015 the United States saw the first largest increase in traffic deaths in 50 years — 7.2% from the prior year.
With this number predicted to increase, there are many ways one can prevent an accident from occurring. Follow these easy tips to remember while on the road according to Geico:
- Wear your safety belt at all times. Before you begin your drive, make sure not only you, but your passengers are buckled up. If you have any small children make sure their car seat is aligned with the proper height, weight and age standards.
- Limit your passengers. The risk of a fatal motor accident increases with every additional passenger in the vehicle. This is especially important if you are a new driver.
- Limit your night driving. According to Geico, for every mile driven at night your risk of a fatal accident becomes 3 times more likely than during the day.
- Prepare for poor weather conditions. As the weather changes, so should you’re driving. One needs to be aware of road conditions and any complications.
- PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY! Cell phones have become one of the leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities. With that being said, stow your phone away in a compartment or put it on silent mode as soon as you get behind the wheel.
Let’s strive to keep 2017 a safe driving year for everyone.
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