Distraction, Dashing, Alcohol Drive Up 2021 Visitors Deaths
Knowledge exhibits a 12% rise in deadly crashes involving not less than one distracted driver, with 3,522 folks killed. (Getty Photographs)
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DETROIT — Almost 43,000 folks died in U.S. visitors crashes in 2021, the best quantity in 16 years, with deaths because of dashing and impaired or distracted driving on the rise.
The 2021 closing numbers, launched April 3 by the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, confirmed earlier estimates by the company displaying a ten.5% enhance in deaths over 2020. That’s the best quantity since 2005 and the most important proportion enhance since 1975.
Dashing-related deaths elevated 7.9%, whereas crash deaths involving massive vans weighing over 10,000 kilos have been up 17%.
Knowledge exhibits a 12% rise in deadly crashes involving not less than one distracted driver, with 3,522 folks killed. That prompted the company to kick off a $5 million promoting marketing campaign in an effort to maintain drivers centered on the highway. Company officers mentioned such circumstances doubtless are underreported by police.
The variety of pedestrians killed rose 13%, and bicycle owner fatalities have been up 2% for the 12 months. The variety of unbelted passengers killed rose 8.1%, whereas fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving have been up 14%.
At a information convention April 3 in Seattle, NHTSA centered on distracted driving fatalities, which audio system mentioned are fully preventable if folks cease utilizing their cellphones, consuming or doing different issues that divert consideration from the highway.
“Bear in mind it solely takes a second to alter your life without end,” mentioned Sophie Shulman, NHTSA deputy administrator.
Immediately, @NHTSAgov Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman launched the #DistractedDrivingAwarenessMonth marketing campaign at #LifeSavers2023. pic.twitter.com/sw6t8YlBIj
— Lifesavers Convention (@LifesaversConf) April 3, 2023
Steve Kiefer, a retired Basic Motors government whose son, Mitchel, was killed in a 2016 distracted driving crash, mentioned cellphones are a main reason behind distraction. However expertise is on the market to stop it, together with “don’t disturb” modes, in addition to apps and in-car techniques that watch drivers to ensure they’re paying consideration.
“All of this expertise is on the market at this time, and there’s no motive we are able to’t use it and roll it out rapidly,” Kiefer mentioned.
Distracted driving deaths are associated to America’s dependancy to cellphones, mentioned Kiefer, who began a basis with the aim of ending distracted driving. He mentioned 90% of persons are conscious of the hazard of distracted driving, but 80% admit to doing it. In 25 states with legal guidelines towards hand-held cellphone use, visitors deaths, crashes and insurance coverage charges have dropped, he mentioned.
Kayne Grau, CEO of Uptake, discusses ways in which fleets can use knowledge to stop costly truck repairs. Hear this system above and at RoadSigns.TTNews.com.
“We imagine that laws will change habits,” Kiefer mentioned.
Mitchel Kiefer was driving from residence to Michigan State College on Interstate 96 when visitors slowed and his automotive was hit from behind by a driver who was distracted by her telephone, Kiefer mentioned. His automotive was knocked throughout the median and into oncoming visitors, the place he was killed immediately.
The crash was not reported as involving a distracted driver, illustrating how distracted driving deaths are underreported, Kiefer mentioned.
A part of the rise in crash deaths is because of folks driving extra because the coronavirus pandemic waned. NHTSA reported that the fatality price per 100 million car miles traveled elevated 2.2% to 1.37 in 2021.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman speaks on the hazards of distracted driving and shares new 2021 distracted driving crash knowledge on the ‘U Drive. U Textual content. U Pay.’ marketing campaign kickoff on the Lifesavers Nationwide Convention in Seattle, Washington. : https://t.co/GowQ8wN3fa pic.twitter.com/Ez5UDgJ82r
— nhtsagov (@NHTSAgov) April 3, 2023
NHTSA additionally estimates that 2.5 million folks have been injured in crashes throughout 2021, up 9.4% from 2020.
The company mentioned it is going to launch preliminary 2022 visitors demise knowledge within the coming weeks. NHTSA estimates that 31,785 folks have been killed in crashes from January by way of September final 12 months, down 0.2% from the identical interval of 2021.
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