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

  • Analysing intelligent speed adaptation benefits
    April 12, 2012
    Oliver Carsten, Professor of Transport Safety at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds, UK, discusses Intelligent Speed Adaptation, looking at its safety potential
    Read More
  • US traffic fatalities level off to remain flat
    October 11, 2023
    Despite rises over the past five years, fatalities recorded no increase from 2021 to 2022, according to QuoteWizard.com, an on-line insurance comparison platform.
    Read More
  • While driving risk for young
    December 15, 2015
    New research from the US shows that texting while driving has become a major cause of deaths and injuries amongst youngsters in the US. Using smartphones for texting or accessing the internet while at the wheel is the biggest single cause of death for teenagers in the US according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report says that in spite of 45 US states having banned drivers from sending texts or emails while at the wheel, up to 660,000/hour are using smartphones
    Read More
  • Drowsy driving dangers for road users
    November 2, 2018
    Up to 25% of fatal road crashes in the UK are caused by drowsy driving. This is the result of research carried out jointly by the AA Charitable Trust. The research suggests that men and young drivers are most likely to be at risk from drowsy driving. Meanwhile the research shows that 13% of UK drivers admit falling asleep at the wheel. And 37% say they have been so tired they have been scared they would fall asleep when driving. The latest road casualty statistics show drowsy drivers contributed to 53 fat
    Read More

Highlighted Content