The National Highway Road Safety Administration has announced its preliminary traffic fatality projection for 2021. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42,915 persons died in motor vehicle traffic collisions last year, up from 38,824 fatalities in 2020. The projected number of fatalities is the highest since 2005, and the annual percentage rise is the largest in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history. Each of these figures represents a tragically lost life and a family left behind.
Keep reading to learn more about the statistics. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
The government is taking action but it’s too soon to know if it will be enough
The new Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, which just opened its first round of applications this week, is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which places a major emphasis on increasing safety. The program, which is the first of its kind, will invest up to $6 billion on local efforts to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities over the next five years.
The newly enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Act also advances Complete Streets policies and standards, requires updates to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which defines speeds, lane markings, traffic lights, and other features on most roads across the country, and significantly boosts funding for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which assists states in adopting data-driven approaches to making roads safer.
The NHTSA Deputy Administrator Believes These Issues Are Preventable
“This problem on our roadways is urgent and preventable,” stated NHTSA Deputy Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff. “We’re going to step up our safety efforts, and we need everyone’s help — state and local governments, safety activists, automakers, and drivers.” It affects every aspect of our lives.”
The Click It or Ticket campaign has begun
Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched the Click It or Ticket campaign, which coincides with special enforcement efforts to raise awareness about the fact that seat belts save lives, as well as a technical assistance program to help states address the continued rise in fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced money for the 402 State and Community Grant Program, Section 405 National Priority Safety Program, and Section 1906 Racial Profiling Data Collection Grants earlier this week. States are urged to use the funds to establish initiatives that address gaps and opportunities identified through technical support, expand collaborations, and focus on risky driving and safety problems among vulnerable road users and overrepresented demographics.
During the epidemic, the full-year projection of 2021 traffic fatalities also includes state-level estimates. All ten NHTSA zones are expected to witness an increase in deaths by 2020. In comparison to 2020, traffic deaths are expected to have increased in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
According to preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration, vehicle miles traveled in 2021 increased by nearly 325 billion miles (11.2 percent) over 2020.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
