Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association reported that 2017 highway fatality numbers had decreased after two years of significant increases. Early estimates for the first half of 2018 appear to show the downward trend continuing into this calendar year.
While this is great news, there is still a major risk of personal injury or death presented by motor vehicle crashes; last year, 37,133 Americans lost their lives in vehicle accidents. That’s a decrease of nearly 2% from 2016, showing that there is still lots of work to be done to keep the roads safe for everyone.
In the NHTSA news release, NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi R. King noted that speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and drug-impaired driving are still putting travelers at risk. Every time you get on the road, you are assuming some risk and responsibility for your life and the lives of others. Keep that in mind and take precautions to ensure that you are being safe and responsible each time you get behind the wheel.
The NHTSA recently kicked off the “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different” campaign in addition to the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” message over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Want to learn more? You can see the 2017 Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes report here.
With over 40 years of experience, John Schuerman is a compassionate advocate for injury victims and their families while being an aggressive fighter for justice and full compensation for their claims. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury from a motor vehicle crash, call 1-800-274-0045 today for a free consultation. Evening and weekend appointments as well as home and hospital visits are available.
