Death Statistics From Auto Accidents

In most instances, car accidents can be prevented. Regardless of this fact, auto accidents continue to rank high amongst the causes of death. The death statistics from auto accidents should be a warning sign for drivers to reassess their driving habits.

Cars which run off the roadway account for the highest percentage of death statistics from auto accidents. This includes such factors as general reckless driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and intentionally driving off the roadway in order to avoid hitting another vehicle or object in the roadway. 31.7% of automobile-related fatalities occur from cars running off the roadway.

A second common form of accident which results in death is the impact on a car from other vehicles. Statistics show that 20.7% of fatal car accidents result from this. The reason why impact from the side of a car is so dangerous is that it often does not provide the full amount of protection from the air bags within the car. The person is simply not in the proper place to be fully protected by the air bags.

Rollovers account for 10.9% of fatal car accidents. The reason for the statistics being so high in this form of accident is that the normal degree of protection is not provided. During a rollover, the cars safety features such as air bags and seat belts, are not as effective as they are during other types of car accidents.

While some kinds of car accidents do not occur as frequently as others, they have a much higher rate of fatality when they do occur. One example involves cars which collide with bicycle riders and pedestrians. While these account for only a small percentage of automobile accidents, the death statistics from car-and-bicycle and car-and-pedestrian accidents are significantly higher.

Although the overall rate of fatalities from car accidents has been decreasing during the last decade, the statistics are enough to show that it must decrease even further. Fatalities can be prevented by more people wearing their seat belts, both while driving and while riding as passengers. As more than forty percent of accidents which result in fatalities include the use of alcohol, this factor also must be addressed more strongly.

The trend toward higher speed limits is also a contributing factor. In addition to individuals who drive over the speed limit in general, roadways where the speed limit is more than 55 mph account for a large percentage of automobile fatalities.