Despite New Regulations And Technological Advancements, Road Safety Is Deteriorating

Despite new regulations and technology, road safety is worsening. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities increased by 7.2 percent in 2015, the largest percentage increase since 1966. And since then, the trend has continued upward, and in 2022, traffic fatalities are at an all-time high.

Factors Affecting The Road Safety Situation

There are many factors contributing to this worsening road safety situation. One is the increasing number of vehicles on the road. Today, there are more than 1.3 billion vehicles worldwide, and that number is expected to increase to 2 billion by 2035. With more cars comes more congestion and more opportunities for accidents.

Another factor is the increasing number of distracted drivers. With the ubiquity of smartphones, many people are texting, emailing, or otherwise using their phones while behind the wheel. According to a National Safety Council (NSC) study, cell phone use while driving has quadrupled since 2005.

And then there are the poor road conditions. According to the World Bank, less than half of the world’s roads are paved, and road maintenance is neglected in many countries. This lack of upkeep can lead to potholes, which can cause accidents, and generally poor road conditions, making it more difficult for drivers to stay in their lanes.

All of these factors are contributing to a worsening road safety situation, both in the United States and around the world.

Traffic Deaths Increase In Most States

Today, in 2022, traffic fatalities are at an all-time high. Last year, more than 40,000 people were killed in traffic accidents in the United States, and that number is expected to rise to 45,000 this year.

Traffic accidents among trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles increased by 9 percent last year, and the trend is expected to continue in 2022.

The states with the highest rates of traffic fatalities are Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In these states, there are more than 10 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s more than twice the national average.

There are many reasons for the high rates of traffic fatalities in these states. One is that these states have more rural roads, which are more dangerous than urban roads. In addition, these states have higher speed limits than most other states. And finally, these states have a higher proportion of trucks and other commercial vehicles on the road.

Large Truck Crash Fatalities Also Increased Last Year 

The NHTSA reports that traffic fatalities involving large trucks increased by 9 percent in 2020. This is the second consecutive year that large truck crash fatalities have increased. In total, 4,761 people were killed in large truck crashes last year.

Of the 4,761 people killed in large truck crashes, 74 percent were occupants of other vehicles, and 14 percent were pedestrians or bicyclists. The remaining 12 percent were large truck occupants.

The majority of large truck crash fatalities (57 percent) occurred in rural areas, and the majority of those killed were male (88 percent).

Accidents Involving Trucks Are On The Rise

The number of accidents involving trucks is also on the rise. In 2020, there were more than 500,000 accidents involving trucks, an increase of 5% from the year before. The number of fatal accidents involving trucks increased by 3%.

The reasons for the increase in accidents are similar to those for the increase in fatalities. There are more trucks on the road and more distracted drivers.

Truck drivers are under immense pressure to meet deadlines, which can lead to them driving for long hours without taking a break. This increases the chance of them falling asleep at the wheel.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that driver error is the main cause of accidents involving trucks. This includes things like driving too fast for conditions, tailgating, and not paying attention to the road.

There are a number of things that can be done to improve road safety for everyone. Truck drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings and take breaks when tired. Cars need to be better equipped with safety features like blind spot detection and automatic braking. And finally, roads need to be designed with safety in mind.

At FleetCare, we are committed to doing our part to improve road safety. We offer extensive training to our drivers, so they can be aware of the dangers on the road. We also use the latest technology to help our drivers avoid accidents. And finally, we are always looking for ways to improve the safety of our roads.

Contact us to learn more about road safety or about our safety initiatives.