Warm Winter Means High Point For US Traffic Deaths
In an age where automotive safety devices are as sophisticated as they've ever been, some upsetting things have happened on United States highways in 2012. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic deaths in the first quarter of 2012 jumped an impressive 13.5 percent, to the highest death rate since 2008. Sources show this is the second-largest quarterly boost in U.S. traffic deaths since the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has kept track of such quarterly statistics, starting in 1975.
More than expected
The significant increase in car accidents resulting in traffic fatalities reportedly came as a shock to NHTSA officials, who have been keeping track of quarterly death rates related to traffic accidents since 1975. The first three months of 2012 witnessed the largest surge in traffic fatalities since 1979, noted The Detroit News. The rate of traffic fatalities for every 100 million miles of vehicle travel in the United States increased to 1.10 traffic deaths per 100 million miles logged, higher than the 0.98 per 100 million miles from the first quarter of 2011.
According to NHTSA estimates, 7,630 United States drivers and passengers perished in car crashes over the first quarter, up from 6,720 the previous year. The 2012 increase actually snaps a string of steady decline in United States road deaths that had remained intact for the past seven years.
More drivers with comfortable weather
Experts believe that a warmer than normal winter across the country translated to more drivers on the roads. Typically, the cold winter months and related treacherous road conditions keep more drivers at home.
"However, the winter of 2012 was also unseasonably warmer than usual in most areas of the country," noted the NHTSA in an official statement. "Consequently, the fatality rate for the first quarter should not be used to make inferences for the fatality rate for the whole of 2012."
There was a decrease in traffic fatalities in 2011 by 1.7 percent over the entire road. It led to the lowest known fatality rate since 1949. In 2005, the country hit a fatality mark of 42,708, but that number decreased 26 percent before going into 2011. In 2010, there were 32,885 people who passed away on the highways. From that time till 2011, there was a 1.7 percent decrease in deaths, according to a May 2012 report.
Not a lot more miles
From 2011 to 2012, there was only a 9.7 billion increase in the amount of miles driven. From 2010 to 2011, United States drivers drove about 35.7 billion fewer miles. This was due to low gas prices and the recession, according to the Washington Post. Driving in 2011 was at its lowest point since 2003.
This year's quantity of traffic fatalities really surprised the Governors Highway Safety Association executive director Barbara Harsha.
"While it is too early to draw conclusions about the data and the reasons for the increase, the strengthening economy and the warm winter may be factors," she said. "Any increase in traffic deaths is unacceptable and we remain absolutely committed to working with our partners at NHTSA and across the country to keep the roadways safe."
More than expected
The significant increase in car accidents resulting in traffic fatalities reportedly came as a shock to NHTSA officials, who have been keeping track of quarterly death rates related to traffic accidents since 1975. The first three months of 2012 witnessed the largest surge in traffic fatalities since 1979, noted The Detroit News. The rate of traffic fatalities for every 100 million miles of vehicle travel in the United States increased to 1.10 traffic deaths per 100 million miles logged, higher than the 0.98 per 100 million miles from the first quarter of 2011.
According to NHTSA estimates, 7,630 United States drivers and passengers perished in car crashes over the first quarter, up from 6,720 the previous year. The 2012 increase actually snaps a string of steady decline in United States road deaths that had remained intact for the past seven years.
More drivers with comfortable weather
Experts believe that a warmer than normal winter across the country translated to more drivers on the roads. Typically, the cold winter months and related treacherous road conditions keep more drivers at home.
"However, the winter of 2012 was also unseasonably warmer than usual in most areas of the country," noted the NHTSA in an official statement. "Consequently, the fatality rate for the first quarter should not be used to make inferences for the fatality rate for the whole of 2012."
There was a decrease in traffic fatalities in 2011 by 1.7 percent over the entire road. It led to the lowest known fatality rate since 1949. In 2005, the country hit a fatality mark of 42,708, but that number decreased 26 percent before going into 2011. In 2010, there were 32,885 people who passed away on the highways. From that time till 2011, there was a 1.7 percent decrease in deaths, according to a May 2012 report.
Not a lot more miles
From 2011 to 2012, there was only a 9.7 billion increase in the amount of miles driven. From 2010 to 2011, United States drivers drove about 35.7 billion fewer miles. This was due to low gas prices and the recession, according to the Washington Post. Driving in 2011 was at its lowest point since 2003.
This year's quantity of traffic fatalities really surprised the Governors Highway Safety Association executive director Barbara Harsha.
"While it is too early to draw conclusions about the data and the reasons for the increase, the strengthening economy and the warm winter may be factors," she said. "Any increase in traffic deaths is unacceptable and we remain absolutely committed to working with our partners at NHTSA and across the country to keep the roadways safe."
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