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Fatalities from traffic accidents have been declining steadily since 2005 with the exception of one year. They are continuing to decline this year in most states. Some states are seeing record low fatalities. Many different things are combining in order to create safer roads and highways. There are both new and old factors contributing to […]
Fatalities from traffic accidents have been declining steadily since 2005 with the exception of one year. They are continuing to decline this year in most states. Some states are seeing record low fatalities. Many different things are combining in order to create safer roads and highways. There are both new and old factors contributing to the dropping numbers. Traffic fatalities are declining for several reasons.
Improved Safety Technology
One of the largest contributing factors to lower traffic fatalities is improved safety technology in vehicles. Modern cars and trucks have a number of features to protect the driver and passengers. These include side-curtain airbags, more effective seatbelts and stronger steel frames. The vehicles themselves have improved technologies like collision avoidance systems. Cars today are much safer than in the past. This is allowing drivers who are in accidents to survive and even walk away from a crash.
Better Driver Education
Drivers today are very well educated about road and vehicle safety. There have been strong federal, state and local efforts to keep drivers informed about a range of topics from using seatbelts to distracted driving. A large number of individuals are taking defensive driving courses that teach preemptive safety techniques. More drivers today are wearing seatbelts and following the rules of the road than ever before. Better education is contributing to lower fatalities across all types of drivers.
Stronger Safety Laws
Local and state governments have helped to reduce fatalities by enacting stronger safety laws over the past few years. These laws are addressing new technologies and problems that cause fatalities. Laws against using cell phones while driving are cutting down the number of distracted driving accidents on highways and in cities. Higher penalties for breaking different traffic laws are discouraging drivers from taking risky behaviors.
Increased Law Enforcement Efforts
Another reason fatalities in some states have dropped is increased law enforcement efforts. Law enforcement has started taking a very active role in preventing fatalities. Police are now dispatched to the most problematic traffic areas instead of being spread diffusely across an entire region. Police are more aggressively checking for drunk or impaired drivers before these individuals make it onto major roadways. Police are also issuing more tickets for minor offenses discouraging drivers from breaking the law.
Safer Roads and Infrastructure
The entire highway and road infrastructure in the country has become safer for drivers and pedestrians. Features like solid medians, better road signs, brighter lighting and smarter striping are keeping drivers safer even in highly congested areas. Planning and coordination is also making a difference. Streetlights that are coordinated more efficiently cut down on fatalities caused by intersection collisions. Planning has also resulted in better alternate routes and wider roads to relieve congestion. This all contributes to fewer fatalities.
Changing Demographics
One final thing that is likely contributing to lower traffic fatalities is the changing demographics of drivers. There are fewer high-risk drivers on the roads today. There are fewer younger drivers. The average number of miles driven each day is dropping slowly possibly due to gas prices. These factors are leading to a slightly smaller number of people on the roads at any given time. The shorter commute distances provide fewer opportunities for an accident that could cause a fatality.
Krasner, Hughes, & Long personal injury attorneys have been serving Philadelphia for years. Like them at their Facebook page for updates!
