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[/profileleft]Since the turn of the 21st Century, car accident deaths had been falling in the United States. That downward trend is likely due to several different safety initiatives. These initiatives include improved safety and technology in vehicles and more awareness from motorists while behind the wheel. Regardless of why, the fact that car accident deaths have been dropping is clearly a positive development.
However, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recently released a report. This report reveals that the United States still has the worst rate of car accident deaths when compared to 19 other high-income countries from around the world. A few of the countries included in the report saw decreases in car accident deaths that far exceeded the drop experienced in the United States.
About the CDC Report
The CDC reviewed data regarding car accident deaths in 2000 and in 2013. The World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or the OECD, compiled the data. The researchers then determined both the number and the rate of car accident deaths in the United States and in 19 other OECD countries. The researchers found the following:
- The 2013 car accident death rate in the United States was 10.3 per 100,000 population.
- That represented a drop in the car accident death of more than 31 percent since 2000.
- The other 19 countries saw their car accident death rates decrease by 56 percent during the same timeframe.
- The 10.3 deaths per 100,000 people was the highest of any of the 20 countries included in the survey.
- Only two countries had a lower rate of seatbelt use in the front seats of vehicles.
- Death rates in Spain dropped more than 75 percent during that time.
- Death rates in Denmark dropped more than 63 percent between 2000 and 2013.
- Only Canada had a higher crash death rate when alcohol impairment was recorded as a factor.
The survey shows that American roads are getting safer. The survey also shows that the rest of the world is getting safer at a faster rate. In addition, statistics were recently released that showed that the number of car accident deaths in the United States increased in 2015 when compared to 2014.
Car Accident Deaths and San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyers
Unfortunately, it seems that too many of the car accident deaths that occur in the United States that are preventable in nature. The report focused quite a bit on the lack of seatbelt use and alcohol-impaired driving as the leading causes of car accidents. Those interested in reading an extended version of the report can find it here.
Those who lose a loved one in a car accident, however, need help getting themselves back into the swing of life. That’s why they need to be able to focus on their grief and to be with loved ones as they move through this very difficult time. If you have lost someone you love in a crash, contact the San Diego car accident lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.
