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Staggering Statistics: There Has Been a Record Increase in Traffic Fatalities in 2022

The preliminary estimates of highway deaths for the first quarter of 2022 have been made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to NHTSA projections, 9,560 individuals died in traffic accidents involving motor vehicles in the first quarter of 2022. When compared to the 8,935 fatalities anticipated for the same period in 2021, this is an increase of nearly 7%. Since 2002, there have been fewer first-quarter fatalities than this.

If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, there could be legal options for you to recoup compensation for your damages. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a consultation. In the meantime, read on to learn more about these statistics.

Predictions for 2022

Early projections by NHTSA indicate that the mortality rate will rise from the predicted rate of 1.25 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles in the first quarter of 2021 to 1.27 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles in the first quarter of 2022.

For these quarterly estimates, NHTSA has just started separating out fatality statistics by state. During this time, road fatalities decreased in 19 states and Puerto Rico, despite an increase in fatalities nationwide. NHTSA will continue to track state-by-state statistics to help state practitioners, researchers, and advocates determine whether there is a trend and whether there are actions being taken by these states that are causing this drop.

Investments in traffic safety are on their way

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the whole Biden-Harris Administration have made it their top mission to put an end to road deaths nationwide. Significant investments in traffic safety are made under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, often known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In January, Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation for the United States, unveiled the National Roadway Safety Strategy, which places a particular emphasis on lowering road deaths. The long-term strategy emphasizes safer people, roads, cars, speeds, and post-crash treatment with the goal of saving lives.

The NHTSA has programs as well

In order to address one of the most hazardous driving practices in America, speeding, NHTSA began a public education campaign last month as part of the National Roadway Safety Strategy of the U.S. Department of Transportation to avoid road fatalities. The goal of the NHTSA’s Speeding Wrecks Lives campaign is to alter public perceptions of speeding and to warn drivers of its lethal effects.

Along with education initiatives, NHTSA regional offices collaborate closely with States to help them allocate NHTSA formula grant funds to address risky driving practices like speeding and driving while intoxicated, safeguard vulnerable road users, and reach underserved and overrepresented populations.

The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day high-visibility enforcement program, which is focused on reducing drunk driving and enhancing safety for all road users, has also been started by NHTSA.

If you have lost a loved one in a traffic accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a legal consultation.