SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Federal officials saw a nine percent increase in highway fatalities across the U.S. from 2000 to 2021 — with Michigan reporting 547 deaths to date — and the trend doesn't appear to be slowing down in 2022, according to a new report released Wednesday morning.
Related
Data collected from the National Safety Council showed more than 46,000 people died on roads throughout the U.S. in 2021, a shocking rise in trend that officials called "dark and deeply concerning."
Michigan State Police reported 146 deaths on Michigan roadways so far this year, 31 more than what they were a year ago, with 21 fatalities occurring within the last week alone.
According to federal investigators, the overall increase in deaths can be attributed to early pandemic treads — as more people started driving and traffic volume increased, so did traffic deaths.
In addition, numbers sharply rose for deaths among bicyclists and pedestrians.
Officials said more life-saving measures can be taken by federal, state and local authorities, as well as law enforcement and drivers, to achieve zero traffic deaths.
“This devastating news serves as yet another wakeup call for this country. We are failing each other, and we must act to prioritize safety for all road users,” said Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC).
“One life lost in a preventable crash is tragic enough and more than 46,000 in one year is unacceptable."
The NSC called upon decisionmakers to adopt a number of safe approaches and procedures that can benefit their communities and keep roadways safe, such as implementing more equitable laws and policies with infrastructure improvements for roadways.
Authorities also suggested more should be done to deter impaired driving, especially among employers where drunk driving has attributed to 38% of preventable workplace deaths.
Other approaches such as lowering speed limits, using traffic cameras, banning cell phone use while driving — to include handsfree — and upgrading seatbelt laws were strongly suggested by the NSC.
To combat deaths that are occurring outside of vehicles, the NSC has called on motorcycle helmet laws to be passed or reinstated and for programs aimed to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
Mark Chung, Vice President of roadway practice at NSC, said while partners and stakeholders do their part to keep roadways secure, it is also up to drivers to make sure they are taking precautions to keep themselves, their passengers and other drivers safe.
“But we can’t rely solely on the government to make our roads safer. Each road user must take safety personally by buckling up, slowing down, and driving distraction and impairment-free. Tens of thousands of lives will be saved," Chung said.
The NSC has prepared of what drivers can do today to help keep road fatalities to a minimum:
• Prepare before you go: Before hitting the road, make sure your car is safe for driving. Vehicle owners should check the oil, put air in the tires, and check for and repair open recalls. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to see if your vehicle has an open recall, and get it repaired for free.
• Buckle up: Since 1975, seat belts are estimated to have saved more than 374,000 lives in the United States. Buckle up, while also making sure you have appropriate car seats installed correctly.
• Drive distraction-free: Thousands have died in car crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phones away and #JustDrive.
• Slow down: Speeding is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit and do not exceed it. Be sure to pay close attention to those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
• Designate a sober driver or arrange alternate transportation: Alcohol is only one cause of impaired driving. Drugs, including opioids, marijuana and some over-the-counter medicines, can cause drowsiness, alter visual functions and affect mental judgment and motor skills.
• Get educated: NSC offers many resources to help drivers be safe on the roads and encourages everyone to attend a Road to Zero webinar on March 17, 2022 to learn from DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others on what we can do to combat roadway fatalities together.
Related
