These 5 car accident statistics from the NHTSA may shock you.
Though most people have an idea of how dangerous driving can be, they do not necessarily understand the precise metrics behind them. The roads are much more hazardous than most people think. Here are 5 car accident statistics from the NHTSA that may shock you.
102 People Die in Car Accidents Every Day
Most of us know that car accidents kill many people over the course of the year, but when you look at daily numbers, you feel the impact even more. In a country of 300 million people, perhaps 102 does not look like a significant number to you. Still, those deaths happen day after day and could potentially affect your life at some point.
29 Of Those Deaths are Alcohol-Related
Despite how much our society knows about the dangers of drunk driving, this is still a shocking statistic for most people. If you think about what percentage of drivers are drinking, it is even more surprising. At any given time, a small fraction of people are drunk, yet they account for a hefty portion of fatalities.
90.1% of Drivers Use Seatbelts
The best case scenario is you avoiding accidents entirely. Of course, that isn’t an option in certain situations. The top precaution you can take to make sure those inevitable accidents are not life-threatening is wearing your seatbelt. Doing so could save your life, so you should always buckle up. Based on this statistic, it seems that most people agree.
Car Crashes are the Leading Cause of Death For 16-23 Year Olds
There are two reasons why this metric is true. First, 16-23 year olds are relatively healthy. The majority do not suffer from cancer or heart disease, and they are often safe from the congenital disabilities that kill younger children. The second reason is that they are often hazardous drivers. If you are in this age range, you should consider this statistic before driving in an unsafe manner. Your life could depend on it.
Yearly Economic Cost For Collisions: $424 Billion
The most tragic aspect of collisions are the injuries and deaths they cause. That being said, the economic costs behind them are worth your consideration too. Between destroyed property, medical bills, lost wages, and more, car accidents have a yearly liability of $424 billion. That is money that could be going to starting businesses, educating the young, and charity, but it is instead paying for wrecked cars and medical bills. This metric gives you an idea of how costly collisions are to society as a whole, not just the drivers involved.
These facts are meant to show you how seriously you should take driving safety. Unfortunately, other drivers may not follow your lead. If you are involved in a St. Louis car accident, get in touch with our experienced legal team 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a fill out our FREE case evaluation form online.