It is safe to say that cars have come a long way from the days of the combusting Ford Pinto. Many people consider safety a big factor when purchasing a new car. It is extremely common for consumers to do research on a car?s features and crash approval ratings before ever actually making a trip to the car dealership. Some relatively new features vehicles on the market today include are back-up cameras, lane-keeping assistance and collision warning systems. Ideally, if vehicles are being manufactured to be safer, then the number of deadly car crashes should be decreasing, right? Wrong.
The latest statistics say otherwise. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation?s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37,461 lives were lost on U.S. Roads in 2016, which is a 5.6% increase from 2015. In Georgia alone, there were 1,422 fatal crashes that caused 1,554 deaths. These statistics make 2016
the deadliest year since 2007. Surprisingly, only 7.3% of the fatalities were due to distraction-related crashes, such as texting and driving. Drunk-driving, speed-related, and unbelted deaths made up 65.5% of the overall death totals. The statistics for pedestrian deaths increased by an alarming 9%. Although vehicle technology is better than ever, and seems to be improving each year with more and more emphasis being put into safety features, there are many other factors that have contributed to this increase in crash related deaths that need to be kept in mind, primarily driver related factors.
Remember to always stay alert and patient when operating a motor vehicle because no one wants to become a statistic. This means keeping an eye out for pedestrians both during the day and after dark, following the speed limit, keeping your eyes on the road at all times without distractions, and making sure as a driver, you are of clear mind when you get behind the wheel.
If you or a loved one, has been a victim of an accident that was caused by the reckless or negligent behavior of someone else, we are here to help. Contact attorney Priya Patel today via email at?ppatel@smithwelchlaw.com?or call us at 770-389-4864 for a free consultation.
Smith, Welch, Webb & White, LLC., is recognized as a premier law firm throughout the state of Georgia with expertise in this area of law. We have an uncompromising commitment to serving our clients and community. Our team of experts routinely handle a wide range of legal matters and will be happy to provide outstanding service for you, your family, or your business.
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