Driving and Car Crash Statistics that Every Driver Should Know
The United States is a large country with an ever-growing population. With a population well over 300 million people, you can imagine that there are a lot of registered drivers. According to Statista, there were about 232.8 million licensed drivers in the United States in 2021 – not to mention all of the unlicensed people who are driving illegally. Considering just how many people that really is, there is no surprise that auto accidents occur and personal injuries are sustained thousands of times every year. We are Lloyd H. Thomas Law, a car accident and personal injury law firm, and we want to share with you some important driving statistics that every licensed driver shouldn’t ignore.
Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Statistics
Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, break down all reported traffic crashes. Here are 10 of the most jarring and important statistics that we found in their report.
Fatalities – There were 42,939 people killed in car crashes in 2021
Injuries – There were 2,497,657 people injured on U.S. roads in 2021
Police Reports – There were 6,063,428 police-reported non-fatal traffic crashes in 2021
On the Rise – All categories of fatalities increased, 10% overall increase from 2020 to 2021
Cars – 32% of fatalities were passenger car occupants, 30% light-truck, 20% pedestrian
No Seat Belt – 11,821 fatalities in 2021 by unrestrained drivers
Alcohol – 10,049 fatalities in 2021 by alcohol-impaired drivers
Speeding – 8,464 fatalities in 2021 by speeding drivers
Time of Day – 13,194 daytime and 12,931 nighttime fatalities – almost equal
Urban vs. Rural – 25,698 fatalities in urban areas, and 17,103 in rural areas
Check out the NHTSA’s full report: Overview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes in 2021.
Car Crash Statistics Takeaways
These numbers will scare many of you – and they should! Driving started as a luxury and a convenience, but overtime has become a safety hazard and a problem. It is important that every time you drive you are sober, alert, and cautious. It is better to assume that others will drive unsafely and be prepared for it, than assume that they will drive properly and end up sustaining a personal injury, or worse, becoming a fatality. Here are a few key takeaways:
Wear your seatbelt at all times
Do not drink and drive or be in the car with a drunk driver
Do not speed, especially when combined with either of the above
Fatal crashes occur at all times of the day
Fatal crashes occur in all types of areas
We are both car and truck accident lawyers for a reason – 62% of all fatalities in 2021 were either passenger car or light-truck occupants. No matter who you are, what you drive, whether you are a passenger or pedestrian, whether it is night or day, whether in the city or the country, there is always a chance that an accident occurs or a personal injury is sustained.
Bottom line: be careful and cautious on the road.
Looking for a Car or Truck Lawyer? Call Lloyd
If you have suffered a personal injury in an auto accident and need help with a fair settlement, then call Lloyd at (404) 848-8898. You can also click here to send him a message. Lloyd H. Thomas Law are expert car and truck accident lawyers who have your back when you’re hit with the unexpected.
Take care and drive safely!
