In 2016, there were 37,461 vehicle accident deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That was a 5.6 percent increase from 2015. However, the Road to Zero Coalition has announced a plan to eliminate such deaths on California roads and others throughout the country. While Road to Zero believes that all traffic fatalities are preventable, the group acknowledges that its goal is ambitious.
One suggestion that the Road to Zero Coalition makes is to create a culture of safety when it comes to driving. For example, drivers should commit themselves to reducing speeds and refraining from driving while impaired. They can also make sure that they use their seat belts at all times. Currently, seat belt usage in the United States is at 90 percent. However, half of all traffic deaths come from those who don’t buckle up.
The group counts trucking companies among its members, and making large trucks safer could play a role in eliminating traffic fatalities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, equipment such as blind spot detection and forward collision warning systems could reduce accidents involving large trucks by up to 25 percent. In 2016, 4,317 people died in crashes involving such vehicles, and 722 of those victims were truck drivers or occupants.
An auto accident attorney may be helpful for those who have been involved in a collision with a passenger car or commercial truck. Legal counsel could review a case to determine if the at-fault party was acting in a negligent manner when the crash took place. If so, an injured victim could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages or other damages.