Car accidents are a common occurrence in the United States, with thousands of accidents occurring every day. These accidents can result in serious injuries, property damage, and even death. In this article, we will discuss some statistics about car accidents in the United States and explore which sex gets into more car accidents.
Statistics on Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 6.7 million police-reported crashes in the United States in 2018. Out of those crashes, 33,654 resulted in fatalities, and 2.7 million resulted in injuries.
The NHTSA also reports that alcohol-impaired driving is a significant factor in car accidents. In 2018, there were 10,511 fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, accounting for 31% of all traffic fatalities.
Another factor that contributes to car accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving includes activities such as texting, using a cell phone, eating, and applying makeup while driving. In 2018, there were 2,841 deaths and an estimated 400,000 injuries due to distracted driving.
Sex and Car Accidents
When it comes to which sex gets into more car accidents, the statistics show that men are involved in more accidents than women. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men are involved in more fatal car accidents than women.
The IIHS reports that in 2019, 69% of all car accident fatalities involved male drivers, while only 31% involved female drivers. The IIHS also reports that male drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents that result in serious injuries or death.
One reason for this disparity may be that men tend to engage in riskier driving behaviors. For example, men are more likely to speed, drive under the influence of alcohol, and not wear seatbelts than women. These behaviors increase the likelihood of being involved in a car accident.
Another factor that may contribute to the higher accident rates among men is the type of vehicles they drive. Men are more likely to drive sports cars and high-performance vehicles, which can be more difficult to control and maneuver.
However, it’s important to note that while men are involved in more car accidents than women, this does not necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. Many other factors, such as age, driving experience, and driving environment, can also impact a driver’s likelihood of being involved in an accident.
Tips for Avoiding Car Accidents
While car accidents can never be completely avoided, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of being involved in an accident. Here are some tips for avoiding car accidents:
- Always wear your seatbelt: Wearing your seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of serious injury or death in a car accident. Make sure that you and all of your passengers are wearing their seatbelts before starting your journey.
- Avoid distracted driving: Distracted driving is a major cause of car accidents. Avoid using your cell phone, eating, or engaging in other distracting activities while driving. If you need to use your phone, pull over to a safe location first.
- Follow traffic laws: Follow all traffic laws, including speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals. Failure to follow traffic laws can result in accidents and tickets.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert while driving and be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards on the road.
- Don’t drive under the influence: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous and can result in serious accidents. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
- Maintain your vehicle: Regular maintenance can help prevent mechanical failures that can lead to accidents. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained, and have any issues addressed promptly.
- Take a defensive driving course: Taking a defensive driving course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to avoid accidents and drive safely.
COVID-19 and Car Accidents
COVID-19 had a significant impact on the number of car accidents in the United States compared to previous years. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there was a notable decrease in the number of car crashes during the early months of the pandemic, likely due to reduced traffic volumes as a result of stay-at-home orders and other pandemic-related restrictions.
For example, in the first quarter of 2020 (January to March), the NHTSA reported a 7.2% decrease in the number of fatal crashes compared to the same period in 2019. Similarly, there was a 17% decrease in the number of non-fatal crashes in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. However, as restrictions were lifted and more people returned to the roads, the number of car accidents began to rise again.
It’s worth noting that while the overall number of car accidents decreased during the pandemic, there was an increase in the severity of the crashes that did occur. According to data from the National Safety Council, the rate of car accident fatalities per miles driven increased by 24% in 2020 compared to the previous year, even though the total number of miles driven decreased.
One possible explanation for this increase in severity is that with fewer cars on the road, some drivers may have felt emboldened to take more risks, such as speeding or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, with emergency services and hospitals already strained due to the pandemic, response times and medical care may have been slower, which could have contributed to more severe outcomes in accidents.
Overall, while COVID-19 did lead to a decrease in the number of car accidents in the United States compared to previous years, it’s important to remember that the pandemic had a complex and multifaceted impact on traffic safety, and the full extent of these effects may not be fully understood for some time.
Car Accident and US Population Trends
There have been several changes within the 10 year time period from 2011 to 2020. Following trends and understanding the reasoning for why they occur can help create an action plan for reducing the amount of accidents, fatalities, and injuries from car accidents. Below we will follow some trends regarding urban/rural populations, accidents involving non-motorists, and the overall trends from previous decades.
An important thing to note with car accidents is that the amount of car accidents in rural areas has dropped significantly from the 10 year period. This may be caused due to increased urbanization within the United States population. As urbanization has increased in many areas throughout the United States rural populations are slowly declining. Urban area car accidents are proportionately increasing compared with the losses of accidents in the rural areas.
Speeding is also a major contributor to accidents in urban areas. With more cars on the road and greater congestion, drivers may become frustrated and more likely to speed. Urban areas often have more pedestrian and cyclist activity than rural areas. This can lead to a greater chance of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, who are more vulnerable to serious injuries and fatalities. Distracted driving is a major contributor to accidents in urban areas. Rural areas, on the other hand, are less likely to have distracted driving as a major cause of accidents.
Regarding fatalities involving non-motorists such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and other individuals the trends show an increase throughout the 20 year period. Ever since the mid 1990’s the amount of fatalities have been increasing. The increase in fatalities involving pedestrians since 1996 can be attributed to a variety of factors. Pedestrian activity has been increasing due to urbanization and more people living and moving in city type environments which can lead to increases in pedestrian fatalities.
Increased pedestrian activity coupled with distracted driving, speeding, poor infrastructure, impaired driving, and an aging population can all be factors in increased fatalities. Many urban areas still lack general safety for sidewalks as they were built during a time where cars and technology were different. Smart phone use can also be a large contributor to this issue along with increasing general accident prevalence.
As people’s lives get busier in this day and age the need to rush has been increasing which leads to paying less attention on the road. These are just a few of the possible explanations for the increase in pedestrian fatalities since the mid 1990’s. Addressing this issue will likely require a multifaceted approach that includes improving infrastructure, reducing distracted driving, and promoting safe pedestrian behavior.
Finally, the overall fatalities and injuries involving car accidents has massively decreased from the late 1980’s to the present time. In 1988 there was a total of 47,000 fatalities involving car accidents which is down to 38,800 in 2020. In 1988 there was a total of 3.4 million injuries involving car accidents which is down to 2.2 million in 2020. Overall from the 1980’s driving injuries and fatalities have gotten a lot better. A factor of this can be improved vehicle safety standards and changes in how cars are now built.
Conclusion
Car accidents are a serious issue in the United States, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. While men are involved in more car accidents than women, it’s important to remember that many other factors can impact a driver’s likelihood of being involved in an accident.
By following the tips listed above and being a responsible driver, you can reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. Always prioritize safety on the road and make sure to drive defensively to help keep yourself and others safe.