1. An estimated 39,345 people die each year in traffic accidents in the US, approximately the same as from breast cancer and 2.4x the number of firearm deaths (excluding suicides).
Sources: Gun Violence Archive
2. The US has more motor vehicle deaths than 28 other high income countries.
Source: National Safety Council
3. Traffic fatalities increased during the pandemic and have slightly declined in the last ~year.
Even though U.S. vehicle miles of travel fell 11 percent from 2019 to 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. traffic fatalities increased by 7% percent from 2019 to 2020. This coincided with exploding cell phone usage.
4. Driver distraction drives a significant portion of traffic fatalities.
Fatalities due to distracted driving is estimated to be in excess of 10,000 per year, accounting for ~29% of all fatalities. Phone use while driving – particularly calling and texting – is one of the most common distractions. When a person reads a text while driving, his or her eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field while blindfolded.
5. People know distracted driving is dangerous:
Source: Kelcie Ralph
6. But most people don’t think they’re going to be apprehended for distracted driving or not wearing a seatbelt as much as they do for speeding, running a red light or driving impaired.
Source: Kelcie Ralph
7. In lieu of increasing policing and traffic stops, most people agree that camera based enforcement is a more favorable approach to tackling traffic enforcement.
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