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

  • Nigeria road crashes – cause for concern
    February 27, 2018
    Nigeria’s dangerous roads remain a cause for concern. In the three month period to December 2017, there were 2,489 reported road crashes in Nigeria. These crashes accounted for 1,306 deaths and 7,349 injuries, according to data collated by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Of those killed, 106 were children and 1,200 were adults. Excessive speed was cited as a primary cause of 45.1% of the crashes. Other major factors in crashes were loss of control and dangerous driving. No estimates for the
    Read More
  • CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 will help you imagine what’s next
    March 15, 2017
    What sort of key trends will be on show, and how will these new technologies shape the sector over the coming years? Alan Dron interviewed Al Cervero, the AEM senior vice-president for construction, utility and mining on how the show will reveal what is coming. The theme for this year’s event is “Imagine what’s next”, a particularly appropriate title in view of the changes in both technology and the environment in which that technology will be used.
    Read More
  • Netherlands faces serious traffic issues
    July 4, 2017
    The Netherlands has seen traffic congestion increase by a small percentage in the first six months of 2017 when compared with the same period during 2016.
    Read More
  • Mobility scooters feature high risks
    April 24, 2024
    Mobility scooters have high risks for users.
    Read More

Highlighted Content