7th Quarter of Declines Since 2020 Despite More Miles Driven
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is predicting that traffic fatalities for 2023 will go down. According to the agency’s calculations, the first quarter of the year registered 9,330 deaths, a decrease of 3.3% compared to the same period in 2022. This marks the fourth consecutive quarterly decrease after seven quarters of escalating fatalities starting from Q3 of 2020.
Despite the 2.6% rise of vehicle miles traveled, the estimated rate of fatalities for the first part of 2023 diminished to 1.24 per 100 million vehicles kilometers, below the assumed figure of 1.32 in 2022. This shows an analogous reduction in 2022, where the NHTSA quotes the rate slipping from 1.37 deaths per 100 vehicle kilometers in 2021.
U.S. Transport Chief Pete Buttigieg has exhibited advanced confidence about the plummeting of traffic fatalities, which have been decreasing in an even manner since the ascension in the pandemic. In any case, he has undoubted firmness for continuing efforts to unfalteringly maintain this beneficial pattern.
Ann Carlson, Chief Counsel of the NHTSA, confessed to the progress already made, yet identified the hindrance of avoidable incidents and emphasized the division’s dedication to lowering vehicular deaths. Components of the measure taken involve pushing ahead with fresh vehicle limits, investing in roads and transport security, as well as co-working with state and city allies to endorse more prudent driving behavior.
To effectively tackle the terrible repercussions of traffic-related deaths and severe injuries, the Transport Department initiated the National Roadway Safety System (NRSS). This strategy takes after a safe system approach concentrating on protecting roads, people, vehicles, speeds, and post-collision attention. President Biden has demonstrated his support for this plan with unprecedented safety funding stipulated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation, such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All Endowment Program.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has successfully introduced numerous plans to increase the security of roadways, like the idea to develop robotized emergency braking systems (AEB), improving the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and initiating a Pedestrian Protection Protocol, as well as edicts on rear crashings buffers. Additionally, the DOT is collecting facts on incidents related to driverless automobiles and special driver’s support features. Moreover, regular assessments are conducted to evaluate Vulnerable Road User Safety and expert gatherings are held to provide reports and forward pavement configuration schemes.
Recently, the US Dept. of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General completed a two-year investigation which uncovered inadequacies in how the NHTSA managed recalls and safety examinations. The inquiry exposed shortcomings in consistently displaying data and finishing primary investigations within its scheduled deadlines.
Source: NHTSA
