When drivers first hear about a car accident, they might assume the incident in question involves a collision between two vehicles. But nearly six out of 10 fatal car accidents in the United States involve only one vehicle, according to reporting from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here are some other illuminating statistics involving deadly car crashes in the U.S.:
  • The deadliest time to be on the roads is Saturday between midnight and 3 a.m.
  • Four out of 10 fatal car accidents in the U.S. happen when the driver either roles his or her vehicle or smashes into a fixed object such as a tree or a street sign.
  • Drivers are not the sole victims in deadly crashes: Passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists also lose their lives in car accidents.
Insurance professionals are on the front lines of defense when it comes to helping drivers understand both the causes of car accidents as well as the steps each driver can take to avoid a collision. This is especially true for insurance agents and risk managers working in one of the 15 states highlighted above, which top the list of locations for deadly accidents, according to the most recent state-by-state reporting available from the NHTSA, which is from 2016. Here are the National Safety Council's top tips for making America's roads safer:
  • Practice defensive driving. Buckle up, designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation when imbibing, get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue, and drive attentively.
  • Recognize the dangers of drugged driving, including impairment from prescription opioids.
  • Learn how to use your vehicle's safety systems.
  • Fix recalls and vehicle maintenance issues immediately.
  • Talk about these tips with teenagers, who are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident.
"Roadway deaths are preventable by doubling down on what works, embracing technology advancements and creating a culture of safer driving," National Safety Council COO Nicholas Smith said earlier this year. See also:  

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Elana Ashanti Jefferson

Elana Ashanti Jefferson serves as ALM's PropertyCasualty360 Group Chief Editor. She is a veteran journalist and communications professional. Reach her by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

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