An estimated of 40,200 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2016, as per new report from the National Safety Council. That figure represents a 6-percent rise from 2015.
The nonprofit organization approximates there were 1.25 deaths per 100 million car miles traveled, rise of 3 percent. Costs associated with automobile deaths, injuries, and property damage increased 12 percent in last year to an incredible $432.5 billion. These boosts seem large when you think about that U.S. drivers only drove 3 percent more miles in 2016 compared to 2015.
2016 was the first time since 2007 that traffic deaths amounted more than 40,000. Fatalities have actually been slowly rising from 35,369 in 2013, 35,398 in 2014, and 37,757 in 2015.
New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii saw a few of the biggest boosts in the rate of traffic deaths last year, increasing 34 percent, 29 percent, and 27 percent, respectively. Wyoming saw the greatest decline in death rate at 23 percent. Estimates are provisionary and might be updated when more information becomes available for 2016, NSC states.
It may appear a bit helpless right now, however the United States government has set an objective to end all traffic deaths by 2046. Self-drivings vehicles must play a huge role in striking this due date, although the government is also focused on improving seat belt usage, promoting truck security, introducing behavior modification projects, and setting up more rumble strips on roadways.
