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The first 9 months of 2016 showed an increase in the number of people who died in motor vehicle crashes of about 8 percent compared with the first 9 months of 2015. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also reported that 2.44 million people were injured in 2015. 

Other sobering facts from NHTSA: 

• Each year, motor vehicle crashes cost Americans $242 billion in medical care, rehabilitation and lost wages.
• About 90 people die from vehicle crashes each day in the U.S. resulting in the highest death rate among comparison countries, one fatality every 16 minutes.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading causes of death in Americans younger than 30. 

Economic Impacts of Traffic Crashes 

The 2011 American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Crashes vs. Congestion – What’s the Cost to Society? report encourages policymakers at all levels of government to ensure safety is a top priority. The report calculates the cost of crashes for the same metropolitan areas covered by the well-known Urban Mobility Report conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute. The annual societal cost of traffic crashes is $299.5 billion, more than three times the $97.7 billion cost of congestion. 

5 Critical Trends Affecting Highway Transportation and Safety 

There are 5 critical trends affecting highway transportation and safety according to Secretary Foxx of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in the department’s study “Beyond Traffic”. These are: 

1. Population and economic growth will lead to increased motor vehicle travel, particularly in metropolitan areas, leading to increasing congestion.
2. Many aging highways and bridges will require reconstruction and replacement demanding more funds to maintain our roadway infrastructure in a state of good repair.
3. Higher fuel efficiency standards will lead to lower fuel consumption driving down fuel tax revenues and forcing policymakers to consider alternative sources of transportation funding.
4. Advances in automation of vehicles will lead to continued improvements in safety and enhance the productivity of our transportation system while creating new challenges for planners, regulators, and policymakers.
5. Continued safety advances will result in thousands of lives saved. 

What efforts show the greatest promise in reducing traffic fatalities? 

According to the DOT and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), safety improvements can reduce human tragedy, economic impact and congestion. The most promising include: 

• Investment in safe vehicle automation technologies. In his last State of the Union address, President Obama signaled his intent to invest in a 21st century transportation system. DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx has revealed part of the president’s proposal: a 10-year, nearly $4 billion investment to accelerate the development and adoption of safe vehicle automation through real-world pilot projects. 

• Increased efforts on improving human driving behaviors. According to NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind, 94 percent of crashes can be tied back to a human choice or error; so we know we need to focus our efforts on improving human behavior while promoting vehicle technology that not only protects people in crashes, but helps prevent crashes in the first place.

• Increased enforcement of traffic safety laws with visible police presence to increase restraint use and decrease impaired driving and speeding.

• The use of media campaigns to increase public awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence, drowsy driving, distracted driving and speeding. Statistics validate the fact that people die when they drive drunk, distracted or drowsy or if they are unbuckled or speeding.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a driver who was under the influence, reckless or made poor choices, contact experienced personal injury attorneys. The Fort Myers Accident Law Firm will determine your rights.

Fort Myers Automobile Accident Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.