Traffic Deaths on the Rise

The 2014 data included 21,022 passenger vehicle deaths, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1975.

Smartphones are being blamed for the 8.1% increase in deaths that occurred in USA traffic accidents during the first half of this year. While the partial-year estimates are subject to revision, the NHTSA said the estimated increase represents a troubling departure from a general down trend. “Everyone with a responsibility for road safety – the federal, state and local governments, law enforcement, vehicle manufacturers, safety advocates and road users – needs to reassess our efforts to combat threats to safety”.

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to the safety of America’s roadways.

“Behavioral safety programs are the heart of NHTSA’s safety mission”, said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind.

For additional tips and information please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or call the Dedham Police Department at 781-326-1212. While cyclist deaths also declined, the number of pedestrians killed rose by 3.1 percent from 2013 and is on track to possibly increase more than 10 percent in 2015. He suspects that texting and other distractions while using smartphones was part of the cause, as well as drunken, drugged and drowsy driving, and increased driving by teenagers. That would yield recommendations to address human decisions that cause 94 percent of all crashes. In contrast, vehicle-related factors are the critical reason in about 2 percent of crashes. This year, lower gas prices and an improving economy are prompting people to travel more.

“We know this is one of the busiest times of year to travel, but please be patient, take your time and never get behind the wheel if you are impaired”, Chief d’Entremont said. In every state, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of.

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