According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle deaths increased 6% in 2016 over the 2015 data, with an estimated total of 40,200 lives lost. The annual death toll from car crashes hasn’t surpassed 40,000 since 2007, so the new data is concerning.
Why such an increase? Officials say part of this escalation can be attributed to higher road density. An improving economy and higher employment rates combined with lower average gas rates to put more drivers on the road, and these motorists are covering more ground.
With the increase in number of cars on the road, we’re also seeing an increase in the number of distractions that divert the attention of drivers from the traffic around them. At any given moment, 660,000 people are attempting to use their cell phones while behind the wheel. And though great strides have been made to offer voice controls such as “talk-to-text” options in order to alleviate phone calls and texting while driving, social media and other smartphone apps have created new temptations drivers are finding hard to resist.
Distracted driving isn’t the only risky behavior factoring into traffic deaths. Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said state officials continue to point to three things killing drivers: “Belts, booze, and speed.”
Though you can’t prevent the actions of other drivers, you can make a commitment to using safe driving practices every time you’re behind the wheel and educating your teens on doing the same. Distracted driving, not wearing your seat belt, driving while intoxicated, and using excessive speed--these are the biggest killers in auto accidents and yet they are all preventable.
At a national level, measures are being taken to combat this problem and prevent further traffic fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board has partnered with several nongovernmental organizations to launch the “Road to Zero” initiative to eliminate motor vehicle deaths within 30 years. The National Safety Council has endorsed ideas such as requiring the usage of seatbelts by rear-seat occupants, installing more cameras to catch speeding drivers, and banning all use of smartphones by drivers, even if they use their device’s hands-free capabilities.
What does the surge in accidents mean for your insurance rates? Auto insurance premiums have been flat for the past several years, but recently the size of claims is trending higher. There are also more personal auto claims due as a result of the increased number of drivers and the miles they are logging. This has made it necessary for insurance carriers to adjust their rates in order to remain viable and provide drivers with the coverage they need.
Personal car insurance carriers across the board are likely to increase rates roughly between 5 and 10 percent. Talk with your insurance advisor to understand if your rates are being impacted. Though increased costs can be frustrating, having proper auto insurance coverage is crucial to keeping you and your loved ones safe on the road.
