In October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report on traffic deaths in the first half of 2016. The news was not good. Deaths on American roads increased 10% from the same time period in 2015. In all, 17,775 people died in traffic accidents from January 2016 through June 2016, compared to 16,100 people in the first half of 2015. Even worse, these grim statistics are not unusual, as traffic deaths have increased each three-month period since October 2014.
A disturbing trend with no obvious answers
The NHTSA did note that there was a 3.3 increase in miles driven, but the increase in driving alone cannot account for the increase in traffic deaths. Distracted driving could be one reason for the increase in traffic deaths. As smartphones have become commonplace, too many drivers are texting or using their phones while driving. While this theory is certainly possible, the NHTSA was unwilling to identify causes for the increase in traffic deaths in 2016.
Could self-driving cars be the solution to traffic deaths?
As noted last month in this blog, self-driving cars could be the answer to dramatically reducing the number of traffic deaths. With this said, automakers are many years away from mass-producing self-driving cars. In the meantime, drivers across Kentucky and the United States should put the phones down and concentrate on the road.
If you or someone you love has been in a traffic accident caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, it is crucial to work with a lawyer you trust. For years, the attorneys of Robinson Salyers have provided the highest caliber of legal representation to individuals across Kentucky.
Source: An Alarming 10% Rise In Traffic Deaths in the First Half of 2016, New York Times, by Daniel Victor, October 5, 2016