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For many years, researchers have tracked accident data by monitoring the number of accidents per mile driven. This statistic is an important data point for California drivers. Because accidents tend to increase whenever there is more travel, it is helpful to consider the โdensityโ of accidents by examining the number of accidents per mile driven.
Insurance companies and government travel safety agencies keep large amounts of data concerning traffic accidents. This information allows them to determine when and where accidents are most likely to occur, as well as the factors that can increase your risk of being involved in an accident.
The California car accident lawyers at Arash Law have gathered this information to help you make safe decisions while on the road. Of course, it is not always possible to avoid accidents caused by other drivers. If you get entangled in one, it is advisable to consult an attorney after an injury accident.
The Statistics On Auto Accidents
Knowing the overall number of auto accidents in a given time period gives researchers limited information. For example, car accident fatalities have decreased significantly since manufacturers have been required to install essential safety features, such as airbags and seatbelts. But this simple fact does not tell us that drivers are safer. It does not even tell us whether the number of auto accidents has decreased, which is why it is helpful to look at more targeted statistics.
Analyzing the number of car accidents per mile driven allows researchers to determine how many miles a person is driving, an important variable to control. Controlling this variable allows researchers to look at trends over other variables. In 2021, one of the most interesting trends to see was what happened to the number of auto accidents during the pandemic.
Accident Rates Before The Pandemic
Accident rates were showing improvements in the years leading up to the coronavirus pandemic. According to NHTSA, the rate of fatalities per hundred million miles traveled dropped in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The fatality rates per hundred thousand also dropped in categories of the overall population, registered vehicles, and licensed drivers.
Injury rates also decreased in several key categories, showing a positive improvement. Though the progress was slow, fatalities on the roads of the United States were dropping noticeably and consistently.
Accident Rates During The Pandemic
Many people expected that accident rates would drop during the pandemic. After all, people were staying at home far more often, sometimes even being required to do so by local lockdown orders. Yet, researchers found something completely different when they analyzed the accident data from 2020. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 2020 saw an increase of more than 7 percent in traffic fatalities over the previous year.
The number was, in fact, the highest U.S. road fatalities since 2007. 2008 saw a sharp drop in road usage (and thus fatalities) as a result of the mortgage crisis. California also saw a similar increase in fatalities. Statista reports that there was an increase of just over 5 percent in fatalities between 2019 and 2020.
So why did this happen? One popular theory was the increase in risky driving behaviors. The frustration of the prolonged pandemic, financial uncertainty, and long periods of time spent at home may have caused many drivers to take more risks. Researchers found an increase in speeding, impaired driving, and other dangerous behaviors.
These driving habits have long been known to cause injuries and death. The good news is that they are preventable. If drivers accept personal responsibility for making safe choices behind the wheel, the roads of California will be safer for everyone.
Accident Rates After The Pandemic
So what will happen in the years to come? There has already been a huge resurgence of travel as vaccination rates increase. Forbes reports that 2021 summer travel is expected to surpass the rates in summer 2019. But more miles driven does lead to more accidents, so be careful, regardless of how you are getting to your destination.
The overall accident rate will be significantly influenced by the behavior of the majority of drivers. If the risky pandemic behaviors continue, the accident rate might stay high. But if travel levels taper off and drivers learn not to bring their pandemic frustrations in the car, accident rates could go down significantly.
Driving Behaviors That Increase Risks Of Having An Accident
As we have seen, risky driving behaviors have been proven to increase the odds of an accident. Learn more about the most common causes of car accidents:
Speeding
Speeding causes several different problems on the road. First, it increases the stopping distance a driver will need in order to avoid a collision. Second, it reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to an obstacle on the road. These two problems can dramatically increase the risk of a car accident.
However, speeding also increases the likelihood that a person will be seriously injured or killed in a car crash. Speed increases the amount of force that is generated in a collision. Force, in turn, causes injuries to the people who are involved in that collision. More force results in more serious injuries. There is a strong correlation between fatal accidents and speeding.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol has long been known to impair a personโs ability to operate a motor vehicle. But in recent years, many other types of impaired driving have also become serious public health threats. The opioid epidemic has led to an increase in drivers who are impaired by medications. Prescription medications can impair your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, even if you take them as directed.
Drivers have a legal obligation not to operate their vehicles when they are unable to do so safely. Whether a driver is impaired by alcohol, recreational drugs, prescription medications, or a combination of substances, they can be charged with reckless driving. They are also likely to be financially responsible for all the damage they cause in an accident.
Tired Driving
Alcohol and drugs are not the only ways to impair the ability to drive safely. Even something as simple as being tired can slow a driverโs reaction time and, in turn, make it more likely that they will cause an accident. Drivers must take plenty of breaks when they are on a long road trip. If necessary, it is advisable to pull off to the side of the road and find a safe place to rest for a while before continuing the trip.
Be cautious whenever you are likely to be tired (for example, on the drive home after a long day of work or if you did not sleep well the night before). Pay attention to your body. If it is not reacting safely to the traffic around you, it is time to get off the road.
Aggressive Driving
California is known for its notoriously bad traffic. Large urban areas, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, are infamous for having some of the worst commutes in America. It is understandable that drivers will become frustrated and angry. But drivers are still responsible for driving safely in these conditions.
Drivers should not give in to the temptation to tailgate or cut someone off, or signal their annoyance with their horn or headlights (or a few choice hand signals). All these behaviors increase the risk of an accident. There is even the risk of road violence. The Zebra reports that over two hundred murders occurred across the U.S. in seven years as a result of road violence.
Thousands more were injured in road rage accidents (including many who did not survive their injuries). According to The Zebra, aggressive driving contributes to approximately two-thirds of all traffic fatalities. Drivers are responsible for their actions behind the wheel. By paying attention to your body and your commute, you can avoid frustrating situations on the road.
For example, is there construction on your normal route? You might be able to find a different way to work that does not get you stuck in long construction delays. Do you always get stuck in rush hour traffic? It might be possible to adjust your schedule so you can drive during off-peak hours. It is your responsibility to drive safely, regardless of the traffic conditions around you.
Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Ready To Assist California Clients
If youโve been a victim in a car accident in California โ whether you live in the state or are visiting โ you can consult our car accident attorneys at Arash Law. Our experienced attorneys guide California residents, visitors, and tourists through the legal process, helping them understand their rights and available options.
Our skilled legal team can represent clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free initial consultation.
