Rising Roadway Dangers: Alyssa Milligan was a kind-hearted Tennessee girl. She was 23. People liked her for her intuition in helping others. Her mother named her “Sweet Alyssa.” Alyssa made many friends in Tennessee, especially in the close bike community in Nashville. Something terrible happened this month, which is unfortunate. A truck hit Alyssa and her friend while biking, killing them.
Despite safer cars, there are more accidents on U.S. roads. In the past decade, car accidents have increased, including accidents with pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists had over 60% more accidents from 2011 to 2022.
SUVs, trucks, and vans are increasingly popular, leading to more accidents. In the U.S., 78% of new cars sold in 2022 were like this. It’s riskier for people in smaller cars.
When Americans consider car safety, they only think about the safety of the occupants. The National Association of City Transportation Officials is working to change that. People want safety numbers to consider people outside the car, like walkers and bikers.
Why bother? Studies show that larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks pose a greater risk to pedestrians and cyclists. Big cars hitting people in vital areas increase the likelihood of fatality.
The car-size can make visibility difficult. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a crucial study on injured pedestrians in intersection car crashes. SUVs and pickup trucks have a higher crash risk when turning left. This means significant car drivers may have reduced visibility of pedestrians.
Car companies like Subaru aim to enhance pedestrian safety. They believe visibility is crucial for safety. Making cars less prone to rollovers can reduce visibility.
There are many unseen places, too. These things are near the car but invisible to the driver. Drivers of vehicles with tall hoods may have limited visibility of pedestrians. A study by the Volpe Center of the U.S. Department of Transportation in January 2023 found that SUVs and pickups with blind spots were linked to deadly “frontover” crashes.
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In the 70s, the U.S. began car safety checks. In 1993, a 5-star rating system was implemented. Bad things have been happening for a while. Things have changed despite past improvements, such as safer cars and seatbelt laws. The government predicts 42,795 car accident deaths in 2022, a 43% increase from current levels. One reason is increased speeding, drunk driving, and decreased seatbelt usage. For every mile driven, more people die in car accidents. Pedestrians and cyclists have seen a 64% increase in fatalities since 2011. Approximately 8,000 people will die while walking or biking by 2022.
The NHTSA has proposed new tests to assess cars’ ability to avoid hitting people. But tests could be skipped, and failing cars could still get a high safety grade. The National Association of City Transportation Officials wants mandatory pedestrian safety tests.
Still, more to do. Experts suggest changing road construction, enforcing speed limits, and improving car safety for non-drivers. It’s about preventing crashes and reducing their severity.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Which type of roads have the most accidents?
State highways pose the highest risk for drivers in the US, accounting for 33% of all traffic fatalities.
What state has the most car accidents per capita?
Mississippi leads the nation in fatal car accidents, with a death rate of 22.2 deaths per 100,000 people. This high number is tied to the fact that Mississippi drivers spend 8% of their driving time on their phones, which is higher than the national average. Furthermore, Mississippi has one of the lowest seat belt usage rates in the United States.
Are there more accidents on highways or local roads?
Highway collisions result in more frequent and severe traffic accidents because of the higher speeds involved. This leads to greater damage and loss of life compared to accidents on regular roads.
Are U.S. roads safe?
Throughout the last ten years, a staggering number of over 370,000 individuals lost their lives in transportation accidents in the US. Of that number, more than 350,000 perished in tragic road incidents. The year 2021 alone saw 42,939 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes, with 7,388 of those being pedestrians. In addition to the lives lost, countless more individuals suffer injuries, some of which are permanent, as a result of these accidents each year.