New data released by the
NHTSA, says traffic fatalities fell by an estimated 1% in 2018. At that rate,
the U.S. would be on pace to reach the goal of zero traffic deaths sometime
after the year 2100.
While improvement in overall traffic safety is good, the 2018 estimates
for traffic deaths for people biking and walking unfortunately showed
continued increases. People biking experienced the largest increase in
fatalities of all road users, with an estimated 10% increase in fatalities
in 2018. This would make 2018 the deadliest year for people biking since 1988.
At Tabor Law Firm we believe everyone should feel safe on our roadways.
Especially people who bike and walk. The United States stands out among
other developed countries for its poor traffic safety record and its inability
to take actions to make roadways safer. During the
same period when pedestrian fatalities in the US increased by roughly 30%, they were
decreasing by 36% in the European Union. Between 2000 and 2013, the US
had the smallest reduction in traffic fatalities of 10 high-income countries
reviewed by the CDC – and US traffic fatalities have increased by roughly 10% since 2013.
To address the safety of people biking and walking, the United States needs
to get serious about addressing traffic safety – and that begins
by prioritizing the safety of the most vulnerable people. By focusing
on the safety of the most vulnerable – people who walk, people who
bike, people who use wheelchairs, people who are older – the overall
transportation system will be safer for all.
Getting serious about traffic safety is a paradigm shift. It has been about
75 years since fewer than 30,000 people have died on our nation’s roadways
in a given year. We need bold action and leadership to change the patterns
of planning, designing, building, and behaving that have led to this situation.
At the core of the American problem with traffic deaths is prioritizing
speed, traffic flow, and convenience for people using single occupancy
vehicles. We need to value the experiences of everyone, starting with
the most vulnerable, to make a lasting change and reclaim America’s
leading role in traffic safety.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence
contact the experienced
Indianapolis Bicycle Accident attorneys at Tabor Law Firm today.
