In 2023, 40,990 people died in the United States in traffic accidents, 3.6% less than the previous year, but with an average of 112 deaths per dayThe US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said this Monday.
The federal agency highlighted that the last three months of 2023 were the seventh consecutive quarter in which road mortality was reduced from April to June 2022.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said: Deaths from traffic accidents decreased in the fourth quarter of last year, marking the seventh consecutive quarterly decline that began in the second quarter of 2022.
The declines occur even though people drive more. Federal Highway Administration estimates show that Americans drove 67.5 billion more miles last year than the year before, an increase of 2.1%. The death rate per 100 million miles driven fell to 1.26 last year, down from 1.33 in 2022, NHTSA said.
Authorities have said that even with a decrease, the death toll is still too high. Shulman attributed the problem in part to distracted driving. In 2022, an estimated 3,308 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers, while 289,310 were injured.
Nearly 20% of people who died in distracted driving accidents were people outside their vehicles. including pedestrians, cyclists and others, she said.
“Distracted driving is extremely dangerous” he said as he launched a rebranded campaign against him called “Put Your Phone or Pay.” The agency will begin an advertising campaign this month and law enforcement officials will crack down on the behavior in a campaign from Thursday to April 8.
“Distraction comes in many forms, but it can also be prevented.“said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. “Our new campaign reminds everyone to put away their phones or pay up, because distracted driving can cost you fines, or even cost you your life or the life of someone else on the road.”
Traffic deaths skyrocketed in 2021, up 10.5% from 2020, as people began driving more as the COVID-19 pandemic began to subside. That was the highest figure since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.
At that moment, Authorities blamed the increase on speeding and more reckless behavior, as well as distracted driving.
Part of the increase in crash deaths was due to people driving more as the coronavirus pandemic eased. The NHTSA reported that the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased 2.2% to 1.37 in 2021.
Given the high mortality rate, authorities recommend wearing seat belts in both the front and back seats, using safety seats or booster seats for children appropriately until they are at least 9 years old, and never driving afterward. after drinking, obey speed limits, and eliminate distracted driving. In addition, States can use proven strategies to support these measures that save lives, prevent injuries, and avoid spending on crash-related costs.
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