Significant Decline in Automobile Accidents

Improvement!  That is what comes to mind when looking at the Traffic Safety Facts, distributed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) in reference to the decline of car crashes in 2009.  According to NHTSA, there were 5,505,000 automobile accidents in 2009, which were 300,000 less than the accidents reported in 2008!

Along with the significant decline in automobile accidents, the number of fatalities has decreased by 9.9%, injuries crashes have by 6.9%, and passenger car occupant fatalities are at the lowest they’ve been since 1975. Another new low is the number of highway casualties; they’re at the lowest they’ve been since 1950.   So folks, we must be doing something right here.    According to NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, “Today’s numbers reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns.”  Well said.  Campaigns such as, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have had considerable impact on drivers (especially the youth) and passengers across the country; they even formed “MADD Canada” in 1990.

Contributing to the declines in automobile accidents as well, are the safety improvements that have been made over the years.  Anti-lock brakes and the high visibility enforcement efforts used by law officials are just two of the safety efforts developed by manufacturers across the country that have had significance in accidents being at an all time low.  Dave McCurdy, whom is President and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers states, “What’s really impressive is that during the last 50 years-while the fatality rate has been dropping this historic low-the number of licensed drivers has more than double and annual VMT have more than quadrupled.” We can only hope that the number will continue to drop, as new cutting edge technology and safety efforts are developed.