Advances in technology and design mean that the cars we drive are safer than ever, but statistics show that accidents have become more common. In 2021, there was a 10.5% increase in the number of fatalities on US roads despite incredible innovations in vehicle safety features. As vehicles get safer, figures should decrease, but this is not happening. Why are accidents more common when cars are safer?
What is the situation today?
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest that the number of fatal accidents in 2021 was the highest in 16 years. Over the course of the last 16 years, there have been major developments in manufacturing and design, which mean that the cars we drive are safer than ever before. There seems to be a paradox between vehicle safety and road accident prevalence. In 2021, more than 45,900 people died in road accidents in the US alone.
What causes road accidents?
There are multiple possible causes of road accidents, but there are three key risk factors that account for the vast majority of collisions and crashes in the US. These include:
Driving too fast: Fatalities in crashes caused by speeding increased by 17% between 2019 and 2020. Driving too fast is one of the most common causes of fatal and life-changing injuries. If you crash at high speed, the risk of severe injuries and death is much higher than crashing at low speed. Speed restrictions are designed to reduce risks and keep drivers safe. Speeding is illegal, as well as being dangerous. If you cause a crash and your vehicle was traveling too quickly, you run the risk of legal charges and other people involved in the accident have the right to seek advice from a car accident lawyer. The penalty for speeding depends on the speed at which the individual was driving and the severity of the incident.
Drivers who exceed the speed limit put other road users, including drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians at risk. If you are driving, you should always pay attention to warning signs and speed restrictions. If the weather is extreme, or you’re stuck in long lines of traffic, reduce your speed.
Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the main reasons why crash rates are increasing despite improvements in road and vehicle safety. CDC figures show that nine lives are lost due to distracted driving every day in the US. Most commonly, crashes are caused by drivers using phones, which is why accidents have become more commonplace in recent years. Drivers, particularly young people, have become accustomed to using phones while they drive and this prevents them from focusing their full attention on the road. According to the NHTSA, on any given day, there are more than 354,000 drivers using a phone while driving.
Paying attention to the road is critical when you are a driver. If you take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel, or you lose concentration, the risk of crashes increases. If a driver is sending a text message, for example, they may not be able to stop quickly enough if a child runs out in the road or a truck in front slams its brakes on. Being able to react to danger rapidly can make the difference between life and death. Distracted driving is not just a problem for drivers. Up to 20% of people killed in crashes caused by distracted drivers are other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
Careless driving: Americans are covering fewer miles, but the number of accidents has increased. One reason is a rise in careless driving. This covers speeding, not giving other vehicles time and space, failing to look before stopping, changing direction or changing lanes, and tailgating. More than 90% of road accidents are caused by driver mistakes.
The most effective way to reduce accident rates is to eradicate careless driving. This means following the rules of the road, respecting other road users and being aware of hazards.
Why are serious accidents more common?
There are several possible reasons why serious accidents have become more common, including an increase in distracted driving, changes in driver behaviors and a rise in the popularity of larger, heavier vehicles. Sales of trucks have increased and SUVs have become more sought-after. Crashing a heavy vehicle is more likely to cause serious damage and severe injuries, particularly in the case of incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists who have little protection. In addition to the size and weight of the vehicle, performance can also influence the risk of fatalities. Today’s vehicles are more powerful. If they crash into other cars, objects or people, the force is greater, which elevates the risk of severe and life-changing injuries.
Another key factor to consider is the use of safety belts. Since 2019, the number of people killed in accidents while unrestrained has risen by over 20%. Wearing a belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to drive the fatality rate down. Using a safety belt can lower the risk of death and serious injuries by up to 50%.
It is also important to recognize the impact of driving older vehicles. Although new cars are fitted with safety features, many vehicles on the roads don’t have cutting-edge technology. The majority of fatal accidents involve cars that are over 10 years old. Used cars have become more popular in the last decade. It could be some time before safety features have a noticeable effect on injury rates, especially in areas where new car ownership is falling. The rising cost of living could also lead to fewer people buying new cars in the months ahead.
New cars are safer than ever, but statistics show that fatal accidents have become more common. There are multiple reasons why accident rates have risen despite advances in design and technology. Key factors to consider include an increase in distracted and careless driving, the growing popularity of used cars and larger, heavier and more powerful vehicles and the number of road users that don’t use a safety belt.
