Traffic safety has become a significant concern in Florida and around the country after fatalities increased in 2021. Nearly 43,000 people perished that year in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roads. Causes for these accidents involved several unsafe actions that, when curbed, should help decrease deaths and serious injuries.
Unsafe actions lead to increased deaths on U.S. roads
Speed limits are made to keep individuals safe while traveling. Unfortunately, these limits aren’t always being followed, resulting in motor vehicle accidents that lead to fatalities. Besides ignoring speed limits, drivers are also committing the following unsafe actions:
- Drunk driving
- No seatbelt use
- Distracted driving
Eliminating these problems can help ensure drivers are alert and ready for sudden, unexpected changes.
Offering a national strategy to promote safe driving
Officials in the Biden administration have taken action to help curb motor vehicle accidents in the United States by unveiling a national strategy. Some of the goals they propose to help make conditions more favorable include embracing better road designs with dedicated bus and bike lanes. They are also proposing the construction and implementation of improved crosswalks and lighting.
Buckling a seatbelt helps save lives
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes how important it is to wear a seatbelt and launched the Click It or Ticket campaign to raise awareness. It also launched a technical assistance program to assist states in addressing the rise of fatalities on U.S. roads.
Additional safety standards are being implemented
Other safety standards are also being implemented and developed to help curb motor vehicle accidents. These actions include requiring electronic automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection on all new light vehicles. Heavy trucks will also have automatic emergency braking to slow or stop the vehicle when it detects an object in its path. Automakers are also being required to install alert systems for rear seat passengers who haven’t put on their seatbelts, which can help reduce passenger ejections.
Addressing this dire situation should be highly beneficial. Considering several options and implementing them will hopefully help make driving safer for everyone.