Concern at high US crashes

There is concern at the high US road crash rate.
By MJ Woof September 30, 2020 Read time: 1 min
The US has a worrying rate of road crashes – image © courtesy of Mike Woof
Preliminary data suggests an increase in road deaths in the US for the first six months of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. The estimates point to an increase in fatalities linked to the use of vehicles of 20%.

This increase in road deaths comes in spite of a 17% drop in the total distance driven, a fall caused by the global pandemic.

The data comes from the National Safety Council (NSC). More research has to be carried out to reveal the cause of the jump in fatalities linked to the use of motor vehicles.

However, the NSC has previously pointed out that driver distraction is an increasing problem for US drivers. The use of smart phones at the wheel is a particular issue according to the NSC, and while hands-free equipment may be legal, research shows it is not safe to use.

A report from the NSC, Understanding Driver Distraction, reveals that “electronic devices are visually, manually and, most of all, cognitively distracting to drivers.” In addition, this report states, “…the safest option is to completely eliminate driver use of cell phones and interactive, in-vehicle infotainment systems.”
Highway & Network Management

Related Content

  • The risk of drugged driving on Europe’s roads
    May 1, 2018
    Drivers under the influence of drugs present a major hazard to road safety, according to a new report by the pan-European police agency TISPOL The risk from driving under the influence of psycho-active drugs results in road fatalities and injuries from crashes right across Europe, according to the report. The problem relates to both legal prescription medication as well as illegal drugs, notes TISPOL – European Traffic Police Network – which was established by the traffic police forces of Europe to impro
    Read More
  • Safety gains have been seen on Italy’s roads
    November 14, 2012
    The latest official data shows an improvement in Italy’s road safety statistics. During 2011 the statistics reveal a 2.7% drop in road accidents compared with the previous year. The data showed a 5.6% fall in fatalities in 2011 compared with the previous year, as well as a 3.5% drop in road crashes causing injuries. The total number of road accidents reported stood at 205,638, causing 292,019 injuries and 3,860 fatalities. However, a worrying trend revealed that the number of fatalities and serious injuries
    Read More
  • European road safety points way ahead
    May 15, 2014
    The notable improvement in road safety statistics for Europe paint a promising picture with an 8% drop in fatalities recorded for 2013 compared with the previous year. This continues the steady reduction in the fatality rate, having followed a previous drop in road deaths. And it highlights how measures to control speeding and enforce laws against drink-driving have had a positive effect.
    Read More
  • UK men aged 20-30 most likely to be disqualified from driving, says the IAM
    August 8, 2014
    According to new figures obtained by the UK Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), male drivers between the ages of 20-30 were the most common group to be disqualified from driving in the 12 months between July 2013 and June 2014.
    Read More

Highlighted Content