In the United States car accidents are one of the leading causes of death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there were over 6 million car accidents in the United States in 2016. This figure includes both fatal and non-fatal accidents.
On average there are over 37000 fatal car accidents in the United States each year. This averages out to about 102 fatal car accidents each day. The majority of these accidents are caused by human error.
The likelihood of dying in a car accident depends on many factors including the type of car you are driving your driving habits and the roads you are driving on. In general the risk of dying in a car accident is much higher for motorcyclists and pedestrians than it is for drivers and passengers in cars.
According to the NHTSA the fatality rate for motorcycle riders in 2016 was 27 times higher than the fatality rate for car occupants. Pedestrians are also at a higher risk of being killed in a car accident than occupants of a car. In 2016 pedestrians made up 14% of all traffic fatalities even though they only made up 11% of all people involved in car accidents.
There are many things that you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. One of the most important things is to always wear your seatbelt. seat belts have been shown to reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a car accident by up to 50%.
If you are a driver you should also avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from the task of driving. It can include activities such as talking on the phone eating or changing the radio station.
You should also avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is a factor in about one-third of all traffic fatalities. Drugs including prescription and over-the-counter medications are also a factor in a significant number of car accidents.
If you are a pedestrian you can reduce your risk of being hit by a car by being alert and aware of your surroundings. Make sure to look both ways before crossing the street and don’t walk while distracted by your phone or other devices.
You can also help to make the roads safer for everyone by obeying the speed limit and driving defensively. You should always give yourself enough time and space to react to the actions of other drivers.
The bottom line is that the risk of dying in a car accident is real but there are things that you can do to reduce your risk. Make sure to always wear your seatbelt and avoid driving while distracted or under the influence. If you are a pedestrian be alert and aware of your surroundings. And finally drive defensively and obey the speed limit to help make the roads safer for everyone.
What percentage of fatal car accidents are caused by speeding?
speeding is a factor in about 30% of fatal car accidents.
How many people die in car accidents in the United States each year?
In the United States about 40000 people die in car accidents each year.
What are the odds of being killed in a car accident?
The odds of being killed in a car accident are about 1 in 6500.
What are the odds of dying in a car accident if you are not wearing a seatbelt?
The odds of dying in a car accident if you are not wearing a seatbelt are about 1 in 50.
What are the odds of surviving a car accident if you are wearing a seatbelt?
The odds of surviving a car accident if you are wearing a seatbelt are about 1 in 2.
How can you decrease your odds of dying in a car accident?
You can decrease your odds of dying in a car accident by wearing a seatbelt obeying the speed limit and not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
What are the odds of being in a car accident if you are a teenage driver?
The odds of being in a car accident if you are a teenage driver are about 1 in 4.
What are the odds of being in a car accident if you are an older driver?
The odds of being in a car accident if you are an older driver are about 1 in 10.
What is the number one cause of car accidents?
The number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving.
What are the odds of being in a car accident if you are distracted while driving?
The odds of being in a car accident if you are distracted while driving are about 1 in 3.
How can you decrease your odds of being in a car accident?
You can decrease your odds of being in a car accident by not driving while distracted.
What are the odds of being in a car accident if you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
The odds of being in a car accident if you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are about 1 in 3.
How can you decrease your odds of being in a car accident if you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
You can decrease your odds of being in a car accident if you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs by not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
What are the odds of dying in a car accident if you are not wearing a seatbelt?
The odds of dying in a car accident if you are not wearing a seatbelt are about 1 in 50.
How can you decrease your odds of dying in a car accident?
You can decrease your odds of dying in a car accident by wearing a seatbelt.
