A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NATION'S HIGHWAY FATALITY RATE
The data released by NHTSA contains some interesting information. The following information from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that between 2003 and 2004:
- Motorcycle fatalities increased from 3,714 to 4,008, an 8% rise.
- Alcohol-related fatalities dropped from 17,105 to 16,694, a 2.4% decline.
- Rollover deaths among passenger vehicle occupants increased 1.1% from 10,442 to 10,553.
- Total fatalities in sport utility vehicles (SUVs) increased 5.6%, from 4,483 to 4,735, while fatalities in passenger cars, pickup trucks and vans decreased a total of 834.
- Twenty-seven states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico had decreases in the total number of fatalities. The highest percentage of decreases were in the District of Columbia (-36%), Rhode Island (-20%), and Minnesota, Montana, and Nebraska (-13%). The highest percentage increases were in Vermont (+42%), New Hampshire (+35%), New Mexico (+19%), and Alabama and Oklahoma (+15%).
- Passenger vehicle occupant fatalities dropped to 31,693 - the lowest since 1992. Declining fatalities in passenger cars are consistent with more crash-worthy vehicles in the fleet and increases in safety belt use.
- Pedestrian deaths declined 2.8% from 4,774 in 2003 to 4,641.
- Fatalities from large truck crashes increased slightly from 5,036 to 5,190.
- In 2004, 55% (down from 56% in 2003) of those killed in passenger vehicles were not wearing safety belts. This reportedly underscores the value of the need for states to adopt primary safety belt laws.
NHTSA earlier estimated that highway crashes cost society $230.6 billion a year, about $820 per person. Safety should be a top priority for both the federal government - including Congress - as well as with the states. Each state has a responsibility to do its part to make our highways safer. However, Congress has to set the standard for the states to follow because of the flow of federal money into the states for highway construction and the like.
If you are a California motorcyclist who has been injured you have a California motorcycle accident injury case. Our law firm can recover the maximum cash award for your medical bills, your pain and suffering, your loss of wages, your cost of motorcycle repairs, protective gear repair, and all other costs and expenses caused by your accident.
It is vital that an injured motorcyclist hire experienced and skilled personal injury attorneys to fight their case and provide them with the absolute best legal advice. We know that many bikers are unfairly discriminated against. The Law Offices of Nadrich & Cohen, LLP champion the rights of motorcyclists. The experienced motorcycle lawyers at Nadrich & Cohen, LLP will aggressively fight your motorcycle accident injury case. We fight for our client's rights! It is our sacred duty to recover the maximum cash award for you! |
