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When it comes to road safety, you need to be aware of what your risks are for getting into a car accident, as well as the best and safest driving habits that will help you to avoid those risks as much as possible. Continue reading to learn about a few of the major statistics that have been collected on car accidents in the United States and around the globe.
Millions of People Die in Crashes Every Year
Regardless of how safe people are when they get behind the wheel, the risks of an accident occurring are always there. In fact, more than 37,000 people will die in road crashes every single year in the United States alone, with roughly 1.3 million people dying in car accidents around the world each year. This translates to 3,287 deaths, on average, every day all over the world. It is no wonder, then, that some of the most in-demand attorneys are those that are experienced in helping victims of car and motorcycle accidents get the compensation that they deserve.
Pedestrians Are Victims, Too
In addition to all of the people who are hurt in a car or motorcycle accident because they were the driver or a passenger in the vehicle, pedestrians are also negatively affected. In fact, pedestrians make up almost 13% of all of the deaths that result from road crashes. The highest number of pedestrian deaths tend to occur on Halloween and on New Year’s Day, with each holiday averaging about 24 deaths.
Other Stats
On top of the information above, it is important to note that another 2.35 million people are either disabled or injured as a result of car accidents every year. More than 1,600 children who are under the age of 15 will die every year in road crashes. Also, almost 8,000 individuals die in automobile crashes that involve drivers who are between the ages of 16 and 20. And automobile accidents are actually the single biggest yearly cause of the death of healthy citizens from the United States who are traveling abroad.
The Most Common Causes of Road Crashes
Now that you know a few of the statistics surrounding the many road crashes that occur every year, you may be wondering why they happen in the first place. Well, there are several causes that are to blame, but some of those causes are more common than others. These include distracted driving, such as using a smartphone while behind the wheel, as well as speeding, drunk driving, and reckless driving. Other common causes include weather elements like rain, snow and ice, running a red light or stop sign and otherwise not following street signs and rules, and driving while tired.
Whenever you get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or motorcycle, take the right steps to always be alert so that you can reduce your chances of getting into an accident while on the road. The statistics surrounding road crashes are staggering, and being educated will help bring those numbers down.