Fatal Accident Totals Reach All Time Lowest Level
According to data analysis from 2011 crash statistics collected by the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the national fatal accident rate has reached the lowest level in more than 60 years. The total number of fatalities reported throughout the year dropped to 32,397, a 1.9% decrease from 2010, and the lowest total since 1949. The decrease continues a promising trend that has been occurring over the last several years, as overall accident fatalities have dropped by more than 26% since 2005.
This continued decrease comes as a result of a greater focus on road safety through organizations like the NHTSA and IHS, along with awareness campaigns and greater safety advancements from auto makers. “The latest numbers show how the tireless work of our safety agencies and partners, coupled with significant advances in technology and continued public education, can really make a difference on our roadways,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “As we look to the future, it will be more important than ever to build on this progress by continuing to tackle head-on issues like seat belt use, drunk driving, and driver distraction.”
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland …