A new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a grim tale to tell. Statistics show that death rates for accidents in Washington and the rest of the nation are, once again, on the rise. This was a trend that had been reversing itself for a few years. This seems to have come to an end in 2021.
Fatalities are once more on the rise
Motor vehicle accidents had been tapering off, but 2021 was the most fatal year since 2005. There was a 10.5% increase in the number of fatalities over the previous year. The NHTSA put the figure at a total of 42,915 traffic fatalities.
This is a trend that has affected nearly every state in the nation. All kinds of possible traffic fatalities have seen an increase in reported incidents. Deaths from crashes involving multiple vehicles were 16% more likely to occur in 2021. The new year has yielded stats that will show no signs of this trend reversing.
The need for caution is more acute
The figures reported by the NHTSA cover all kinds of vehicle-related accidents, including SUVS, cars, and trucks. Regardless of the type of vehicle you may be driving, the level of danger you are bound to experience on the highway has increased. This is a trend that safety experts urge you to be more aware of.
The NHTSA and other agencies will be rolling out a number of new programs that are designed to decrease the number of fatal traffic accidents. In the meantime, drivers are being urged to develop and maintain safe habits to limit fatal accidents on the road.