According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2007 the overall number of traffic fatalities dropped to its lowest level since 1994. Out of approximately 3 trillion miles traveled, there were 41,059 traffic fatalities. The NHTSA data showed a decline in passenger car fatalities for the fifth consecutive year, a decrease in light truck fatalities for the second straight year, and a drop in injuries for the eighth year in a row.
Breaking down the numbers, there were 16,520 fatalities and 1,379,000 injuries in passenger cars. By comparison there were 12,413 fatalities and 841,000 injuries in light trucks (the federal government’s definition of light truck includes vans, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks). Only motorcycle-related fatalities and injuries increased from 2006; there were 5,154 fatalities and 133,000 injuries on motorcycles.
The NHTSA’s 2007 data reveals that vehicle occupants accounted for 74 percent of traffic deaths, motorcyclists were 13 percent of the deaths, pedestrians accounted for 11 percent and bicyclists and non-occupants accounted for the remainder.
The top five driving behaviors leading to fatal traffic accidents included failure to stay in a lane (28 percent), speeding (21.5 percent), drugs or alcohol (13.6 percent), inattentiveness (8.4 percent), and failure to yield (7.2 percent). Some of the other risky driving behaviors that the NHTSA catalogued were failure to obey traffic signals or signs, improper turns, driver fatigue, and reckless or negligent driving.
Preliminary data for 2008 show that the overall number of traffic fatalities was down 10 percent for the first ten months of 2008, as compared to 2007.
The NHTSA also reviewed 2006 data for trends in traffic fatalities that involved speeding. It found that motorcycles were the deadliest: 37 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding. For other types of vehicles, 23 percent were passenger car drivers, 19 percent were light truck drivers, and 8 percent were large truck drivers (by definition, a large truck is one that weighs at least 10,000 pounds). The NHTSA estimates that crashes cost $230.6 billion per year, and speeding-related crashes accounted for $40.4 billion of that figure.
The NHTSA also reviewed 2006 data for trends in traffic fatalities that involved speeding. It found that motorcycles were the deadliest: 37 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding. For other types of vehicles, 23 percent were passenger car drivers, 19 percent were light truck drivers, and 8 percent were large truck drivers (by definition, a large truck is one that weighs at least 10,000 pounds). The NHTSA estimates that crashes cost $230.6 billion per year, and speeding-related crashes accounted for $40.4 billion of that figure.
The federal government considers a driver to be alcohol-impaired when he or she has a blood alcohol content of more than 0.08 percent (Massachusetts drunk driving law also uses 0.08 percent). In a study of alcohol-impaired driving, the NHTSA found that in 2006 a third of all traffic fatalities were linked to alcohol-impaired driving. The 13,470 fatalities equal one alcohol-impaired fatalities every 39 minutes.
If you or someone you know has been hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To speak with an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer, contact Parker Scheer LLP seven days a week, toll free at 866-414-0400. There is no fee charged to discuss your case, and all information furnished, will be kept strictly confidential.
Breaking down the numbers, there were 16,520 fatalities and 1,379,000 injuries in passenger cars. By comparison there were 12,413 fatalities and 841,000 injuries in light trucks (the federal government’s definition of light truck includes vans, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks). Only motorcycle-related fatalities and injuries increased from 2006; there were 5,154 fatalities and 133,000 injuries on motorcycles.
The NHTSA’s 2007 data reveals that vehicle occupants accounted for 74 percent of traffic deaths, motorcyclists were 13 percent of the deaths, pedestrians accounted for 11 percent and bicyclists and non-occupants accounted for the remainder.
The top five driving behaviors leading to fatal traffic accidents included failure to stay in a lane (28 percent), speeding (21.5 percent), drugs or alcohol (13.6 percent), inattentiveness (8.4 percent), and failure to yield (7.2 percent). Some of the other risky driving behaviors that the NHTSA catalogued were failure to obey traffic signals or signs, improper turns, driver fatigue, and reckless or negligent driving.
Preliminary data for 2008 show that the overall number of traffic fatalities was down 10 percent for the first ten months of 2008, as compared to 2007.
The NHTSA also reviewed 2006 data for trends in traffic fatalities that involved speeding. It found that motorcycles were the deadliest: 37 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding. For other types of vehicles, 23 percent were passenger car drivers, 19 percent were light truck drivers, and 8 percent were large truck drivers (by definition, a large truck is one that weighs at least 10,000 pounds). The NHTSA estimates that crashes cost $230.6 billion per year, and speeding-related crashes accounted for $40.4 billion of that figure.
The NHTSA also reviewed 2006 data for trends in traffic fatalities that involved speeding. It found that motorcycles were the deadliest: 37 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding. For other types of vehicles, 23 percent were passenger car drivers, 19 percent were light truck drivers, and 8 percent were large truck drivers (by definition, a large truck is one that weighs at least 10,000 pounds). The NHTSA estimates that crashes cost $230.6 billion per year, and speeding-related crashes accounted for $40.4 billion of that figure.
The federal government considers a driver to be alcohol-impaired when he or she has a blood alcohol content of more than 0.08 percent (Massachusetts drunk driving law also uses 0.08 percent). In a study of alcohol-impaired driving, the NHTSA found that in 2006 a third of all traffic fatalities were linked to alcohol-impaired driving. The 13,470 fatalities equal one alcohol-impaired fatalities every 39 minutes.
If you or someone you know has been hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To speak with an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer, contact Parker Scheer LLP seven days a week, toll free at 866-414-0400. There is no fee charged to discuss your case, and all information furnished, will be kept strictly confidential.
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