Car accident deaths have dropped to their lowest rate in more than 60 years, federal experts said this week, but distracted driving is becoming more troubling than ever.
• The good news is that the number of car accident fatalities is lower that it has been since 1949 — even though more people are driving far more miles.
• The decrease in deaths is related to safer cars, safer roads, buckling up, and less drunk driving.
• The bad news is that talking and texting while driving is on the rise. A nationwide NHTSA survey shows that 66 percent of U.S. drivers take calls, hold their phones, and continue to drive.
The latest National Highway Transportation Administration figures show that 32,885 people died in traffic accidents in 201o, a 2.9 percent decrease from 2009, according to a Consumer Reports news story. The report showed that 2,715 of the 2010 traffic deaths occurred in California.
To make the comparison even more accurate, the NHTSA pointed out that Americans drive many more miles today than they did in 1949, and still get in few fatal accidents. Back in 1949, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was higher than 7, but in 2010 it was 1.1 — also a historic low.
The drop since 1949 can be largely attributed to four issues:
- Cars are safer.
- Roads are safer.
- Seat restraint systems are better and more people use them.
- A smaller percentage of motorists drive drunk.
That’s all very good news, but there is some bad news too.
The NHTSA’s Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors, released this week, shows that the percentage of drivers who continue to talk on the phone while driving has gone up, despite laws against it.
Ten states — California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington — and the District of Columbia ban talking on a hand-held cell phone. Texting is banned for all drivers in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Yet the survey found that 66 percent of motorists take phone calls and continue to drive. What makes this especially disturbing is that most of these drivers were not using hands-free systems. Most of the drivers involved in the survey said they typically answer the phone, hold it, and continue to drive. Only 9 percent use an in-car hands-free Bluetooth system.
About 2 out of 10 drivers (18 percent) said they have sent text messages or e-mails while driving — but almost half (49 percent) of drivers between age 21 and 24 years old say they do so.
More than half of all drivers said they believe using a cell phone or sending a text message or e-mail has no effect on their driving performance.
About a third of drivers aged 18 to 24 said they can take their eyes off the road for 3 to 10 seconds — or more — before driving becomes significantly more dangerous.
There were 3,092 traffic fatalities directly related to talking or texting while driving in 2010.
California Car Accident Lawyers
The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented car accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.
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