Colorado Car Accident Fatality Rates Are Up Once Again

There are generational shifts in vehicle safety that lead to drastic drops in the rate of both car accidents in Colorado and the United States as a whole. In the past they included seat belts, airbags, anti-lock brakes and so on. More recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has focused on the dangers of texting while driving. The problem is that deaths are up, according to the NHTSA.

In a recent report, traffic fatalities are the highest they've been in seven years. It's increased by more than 10 percent, at a time when the number of miles driven has only increased by three percent. It's a disturbing trend, considering that in 2015, fatalities from car accidents in Colorado and throughout the country jumped the highest in one year since 1966, or roughly half a century.

So, What's Going On?
Are cars too safe? A similar argument is made about professional football: with improvements in pads and helmets and better athletes, the rate of injuries seem to be going up. Yet it's not occupants of cars that are at more risk: pedestrians, bikers and cyclists are all the ones facing an increased risk of death.

As cars get safer, is it possible that drivers are less likely to pay attention? We've covered the fact that things like food, infotainment systems and others are just as likely to disrupt attention as using your cell phone. But if there is no negative reinforcement in the likelihood of injuries, then those with fewer protections will be at risk in the case of cyclists and pedestrians.

What Will Need to Change?
If drivers don't improve their habits, and that might not always be possible given the amount of gadgets inside the cabin, then it will be left to the government and car makers. Denver car accident attorneys know that there are a number of pre-collision braking intervention systems that help to stop the car when there are obstacles like cyclists and pedestrians ahead. These are already available in even compact cars but they are not as prevalent as they likely will be in the coming years.

The other option is to follow the European analog to the NHTSA. There, testing programs focus heavily on protecting pedestrians who are still more likely to dot the narrow medieval roads across the ocean. In fact, cars built in the U.S. with roots in Europe already have innovations in bumper height and front-end design that are based on requirements overseas.

Getting Help with Your Colorado Car Accident Injury Case
If you've been in an accident with a distracted driver, your injuries could be significant. Medical bills might pile up and lost income could make bills tough to pay. Learn more about your legal rights: Get a free consultation with an Anderson Hemmat accident attorneys today.

Call (303) 782-9999 or use the easy case evaluation form to your right for a confidential review of the facts of your potential case. We look forward to helping you get the best possible outcome.

Source: NHTSA ARTICLE

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Colorado Car Accident Fatality Rates Are Up Once Again