Traffic-related deaths saw the largest increase in half a century in 2015, and recently released statistics show that 2016 is proving to be even deadlier to drivers.
According to a preliminary estimate released by the United States Department of Transportation at a recent conference, 17,775 people have been killed in highway-related crashes in the first half of 2016, compared to the 16,100 killed in the same timeframe in 2015. This 10.4 percent increase follows a 7.2 percent jump from 2014 to 2015, where 35,092 people were killed in crashes compared to the 32,675 that were killed in 2014. The current United States Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx commented on these figures when they were released, saying that:
“Despite decades of safety improvements, far too many people are killed on our nation's roads every year. Solving this problem will take teamwork, so we're issuing a call to action and asking researchers, safety experts, data scientists, and the public to analyze the fatality data and help find ways to prevent these tragedies.”
Various government agencies, the National Safety Council and a number of other safety groups announced their plan to completely eliminate all traffic deaths and injuries in the United States within 30 years at the conference, and the Transportation Department stated that they will commit $1 million every year for the next three years to fund grants for this campaign.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, this dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths is a result of the improving economy and falling gas prices leading to more drivers than ever before. According to the Federal Highway Administration, drivers in the United States travelled a record 1.58 trillion miles in the first half of 2016, a 3.3 percent increase from the same timeframe in 2015.
As incredible as the ambitious goal to completely eliminate all traffic-related deaths and injuries in the United States over the next 30 years may be, that still leaves at least 29 years where negligent drivers put the lives of fellow drivers and their passengers at risk. If you were seriously injured in a crash, contact the Houston personal injury lawyers at Bailey Peavy Bailey Cowan Heckaman today. Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to representing injured victims across the nation, and will work with you to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible. Get started with a free case consultation by filling out our online form, or give us a call at (888) 367-7160 to speak with a member of our firm.
Related Posts: