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According to the Claims Journal, traffic fatalities were up 9 percent in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year.
At this rate, annual deaths could exceed 40,000 fatalities this year for the first time in nine years. In addition, about 2.2 million people were seriously injured in the first half of this year.
In fact, there has been a surge in road deaths during the last two years. An estimated 19,100 people were killed on U.S. roads from January through June. That’s an increase of about 18 percent from two years ago.
It is thought that this dangerous trend is the result of an improved economy which in turn creates increased driving and travel, according to the National Safety Council.
How can we maintain safety while on the road? It has been assumed that technological advances like more automated safety features in cars – and ultimately self-driving cars – would go a long way toward solving the problem of traffic fatalities as driver errors are responsible for 94 percent of all deaths.
But we are a long way away from self-driving cars, so it is essential that unsafe driver behaviors be addressed, including texting and distraction, drowsy and drunk driving, speeding, and failure to use seat belts. We are all aware of these issues that create an unsafe driving environment, it is essential to use good judgement while on the roads.
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