Perhaps one day we will all be able to get into a car, state our destination and then sit back and enjoy a safe, worry-free ride without even having to touch the steering wheel. Or maybe cars will be able to avoid collisions by communicating with one another. These technologies are in the works and could very well become a normal part of automotive travel.
But for now, we humans are in charge of the operation of our motor vehicles and, unfortunately, there is a great deal of room for improvement. In fact, by one measurement, our roads are only getting more dangerous.
Between January and September of 2016, 27,875 individuals were fatally injured in traffic accidents. This number constituted an eight percent leap over the 25,808 deaths that resulted in the same period in 2015.
And while the overall total of vehicle miles traveled also increased, the uptick was only around three percent. So data experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are trying to determine the cause or causes of the regrettable rise.
But answers are hard to come by. One possible cause could be that motorists are dedicating more of their attention to cell phones and other kinds of devices while driving. And there is even speculation the recent legalization of marijuana in certain states could be a contributing factor.
So often, fatal accidents have perfectly preventable causes. And if you should lose a loved one due to the negligent acts of another driver, you may want to consider pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced personal injury attorney could assess your case and help you decide the path you want to take in your attempt to obtain appropriate compensation.
Source: Source: WKOW 27, “Surge in traffic deaths outpaces increase in travel,” Joan Lowy, Jan. 13, 2017
