The car you drive is probably safer than vehicles from the past, but you should not have a false sense of security when you hit the road. After all, according to reporting from NBC News, the number of fatal car accidents in the U.S. increased by roughly 7% between 2019 and 2020 and nearly 10% between 2021 and 2022.
While safety features certainly protect drivers, the increase in fatal car accidents should concern everyone. Still, to decrease your chances of having one, you should understand why deadly accidents have skyrocketed recently.
Seat belt usage
Seat belts are any car’s most effective safety features. Indeed, according to The Zebra, wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of dying in a motor vehicle accident by 50%. While the majority of drivers and their passengers wear seat belts, some unbuckled individuals undoubtedly contribute to the rising number of traffic fatalities.
Driver distractions
Even though cars, trucks and SUVs are heavy machines, too many drivers do not give them the respect or attention they deserve. Put simply, as long as there are distracted drivers on the country’s roadways, the number of traffic deaths will remain unacceptably high.
Driving behaviors
Reckless driving is never appropriate, but road rage, speeding and tailgating continue to happen frequently. For fatal car accidents to drop, all drivers are going to have to be more reasonable and patient.
While you certainly can work diligently to be a good driver, you obviously cannot control what other motorists choose to do. Ultimately, if someone you love dies in a motor vehicle crash, it may be necessary to pursue financial compensation for your loss.