Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council (NSC) based on the first six months of data from all 50 states tell an erratic story about the nation’s driving behaviors and the impact of COVID-19 on roadway safety. The U.S. experienced an estimated 20% jump in the death rate – an indicator of how safely drivers […]
Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates Rose 23.5% in May in the U.S. Despite Quarantines
Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council based on May data from all 50 states indicate that for the third month in a row, road users in the U.S. were at a higher risk of dying from a motor vehicle crash. As reported in Injury Facts, the fatality rate per miles driven in May – […]
National Safety Council Projects Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates Jump 36.6% in April Despite Quarantines
For second straight month, preliminary estimates show emptier but riskier roads. Preliminary estimates based on April data from all 50 states indicate that for the second straight month, Americans did not reap any safety benefit from having less roadway traffic. In fact, the roads became even more lethal as miles driven plummeted. Preliminary estimates from […]
Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates Jump 14% in March Despite Quarantines
Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council show that as Americans began driving less and covering fewer miles, the emptier roads became more lethal. Early data indicate a year-over-year 14% jump in fatality rates per miles driven in March, in spite of an 8% drop in the total number of roadway deaths compared to March […]
Fatal Crashes Involving Drivers Who Test Positive for Marijuana Doubled in Washington State Following Legalization
According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the share of drivers who, after a fatal crash, tested positive for active THC – the drug’s main psychoactive ingredient – has doubled since Washington State legalized marijuana in December 2012. AAA believes the increase raises important traffic safety concerns for drivers across the […]
U.S. Roadway Fatalities Decline for Second Straight Year
Newer, safer vehicles helped reduce fatalities as driving reached record levels. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released highway crash fatality data for 2018, showing a 2.4 percent decline in overall fatalities, the second consecutive year of reduced crash fatalities. Under this Administration and Secretary Chao’s leadership, the USDOT has focused […]
Red Light Running Deaths Hit 10 Year High
More than two people are killed every day on U.S. roads by impatient and reckless drivers blowing through red lights, according to data analysis performed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The most recent crash data available shows 939 people were killed in red light running crashes in 2017 — a 10-year high and […]
AAA Reports Drivers Rely Too Heavily on New Vehicle Safety Technologies In Spite of Limitations
While popular ADAS technology could eliminate nearly 3 million collisions per year, misunderstanding and misuse of driver assistance technology could lead to a crash. More and more, drivers are recognizing the value in having vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like blind spot monitoring systems, forward collision warning and lane keeping assist. However, while […]
Motor Vehicle Deaths Estimated to Remain Stable in First Half of 2018
National Safety Council cautions that if trend continues, U.S. could see its third straight year with as many as 40,000 roadway deaths. Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council indicate the recent upward trend in motor vehicle deaths has continued its leveling off, with the number of fatalities in the first six months of 2018 […]
IIHS Reports State Laws Mandating Interlocks for all DUI Offenders Save Lives
Laws requiring all impaired-driving offenders to install alcohol interlocks reduce the number of impaired drivers in fatal crashes by 16 percent, a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. If all states without such laws adopted them, more than 500 additional lives could be saved each year. Alcohol interlocks are in-vehicle breath-testing […]