US Crash Rates Continuously Decline

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that traffic fatalities in the first three quarters of 2009 have declined by nearly 8 percent compared to the previous year.

The recent vehicle crash statistics also shows that traffic deaths have steadily declined since 2005.

Meanwhile, this is the list of factors that have caused traffic fatalities to decline over the past four years, according to researchers:

• High gas prices

Since 2008, researchers have found that Americans travelled less compared to the previous years due to high gas prices which forced them to stay more in their homes.

The researchers also believe that economic recession has also caused the miles-per-traveled to decline as people were forced to walk or use their bikes when making short errands instead of using their cars.

• Cell phone ban

After studies showed that one out of four crashes every year are caused by cell phone use, 19 states and the District of Columbia are now banning people from texting while driving.

In addition, six states and the District of Columbia have also banned drivers from using handheld devices.

Because distracted driving is particularly dangerous to bus drivers and truckers who drive large vehicles that are harder to maneuver and requires greater braking distance than a passenger car, they are subjected to a stricter cell phone ban compared to car drivers.

• Extensive sobriety checkpoints

To keep drunk drivers off the road, one of the most effective state-based programs is the sobriety checkpoint which allows traffic enforcers to conduct breath alcohol test to drivers.

Usually, this program is commonly found in interstate highways and nightspots (e.g. bars, restaurants, casinos, and other establishments that serve alcoholic beverages).

• Strict seat belt law

Most states require drivers and their passengers to wear a seatbelt which has been found to significantly reduce fatal injuries by up to 60 percent.

One of the states which has the strictest seat belt law is California which has also implemented a program called “Click It or Ticket” in 2005. Under this program, unbelted drivers will pay $132 fines; the penalty is higher for them ($435) if one of their occupants aged 16 years and younger is not wearing a seatbelt.

• Higher legal drinking age limit

Almost all states have increased the legal drinking age limit to 21 years old after the federal government passed the Uniform Drinking Age Act in 1984 which will reduce the highway funds of any state that will not increase its legal drinking age to 21.