According to the National Safety Council, there was a 14 percent increase in traffic deaths over the first six months of 2015. Automobile accident injuries also increased 33 percent. Nearly 19,000 deaths have occurred through June.
The increase in traffic deaths was realized in the last quarter of 2014 and has consistently increased through June 2015. July and August are historically high months for traffic deaths, so the fact that there have been so many deaths not including these months is particularly troublesome.
If this years trend continues, the total number of traffic deaths could rise above 40,000, which hasn’t happened since 2007. Annual mileage death rates are estimated to be 1.3 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2015, increasing from 2014s preliminary rate of 1.2 deaths.
According to council president Deborah A.P. Hersman, low gas prices and an improved economy have led to more Americans hitting the road this year. Over 1.26 trillion miles have been driven by Americans from January to May of this year, surpassing the former record of 1.23 trillion miles, recorded in May of 2007. Vehicle mileage has only increased 3.4 percent as of May 2015, which is far less than the drastic increase in vehicle accident deaths.
An increase in miles driven isnt the only factor contributing to the increase in deaths. An estimated 25 percent of all crashes involve cellphone use; this includes fatal crashes as well as injury-only and property damage-only accidents. Many states are also raising speed limits, which could be contributing to the increase in automobile crash deaths this year.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, or have a loved one who lost their life due to the fault of another driver, the personal injury lawyers at GWC Injury Lawyers are available to aid you.
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