Preliminary statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show a drop in the number of people killed nationwide in auto accidents during the first 6 months of 2024. This is the 9th consecutive quarterly drop in car accident fatality numbers. It is important to better understand why this drop in auto accident wrongful deaths occurred and to continue to work to improve the numbers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released encouraging news in the form of car accident data for the first half of 2024. The statistics show that there was a 3% drop in the number of auto accident fatalities during the first 6 months of 2024, compared to the same period of time in 2023. The data reveals that there were 18,720 deaths in car accidents between January and July of 2024. This was a drop from the 19,330 deaths that were recorded during the first 6 months of 2023.
This drop came even as there was a slight increase in the number of vehicle miles traveled by Americans in the first half of 2024, compared to the same period of time last year. This year, Americans traveled approximately 0. 8% higher number of vehicle miles or 13.1 billion extra miles, compared to the same period of time in 2023. Overall, 32 states recorded a drop in auto accident deaths during the first half of 2024. This included the state of Georgia which recorded 696 deaths in car accidents during the first six months of 2024, in comparison with 762 deaths during the same period of time last year.
According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeig, it has been encouraging to note the decline in auto accident wrongful deaths, but the overall fatality numbers continue to remain at crisis points. He confirmed that the federal government will continue to dedicate resources, especially funds from the Biden administration’s infrastructure package, to deliver better interventions and car accident prevention tools to at- risk communities across the country.
The federal government has been focused on a number of new initiatives that target the saving of lives in car accidents, including new requirements that would mandate automatic emergency braking systems on light trucks and passenger cars. The Department of Transportation also unveiled the National Roadways Safety Strategy that is aimed at targeting a number of key areas including better vehicles, responsible motorists, safe speeds, safer roads as well as better access to post car accident care in a comprehensive plan to target zero crash fatalities. These are the primary factors that contribute to car accident wrongful deaths, and the National Roadways Safety Strategy is aimed at mitigating the impact of these factors.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical costs, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.