Car Accidents Cost America $340 Billion In 2019, Says NHTSA Study
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According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car accidents cost Americans $340 billion in 2019.
In fact, the NHSTA report estimates that during that calendar year, vehicle accidents were responsible for killing 36,500 people, injuring 4.5 million people, and damaging 23 million vehicles.
“This report drives home just how devastating traffic crashes are for families and the economic burden they place on society,” said NHTSA’s Acting Administrator Ann Carlson. “We need to use the safe system approach embraced in DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy to dramatically decrease the number and severity of crashes: safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and better post-crash care.”
This $340 billion in vehicle accidents costs is the equivalent to $1,035 for every American, and roughly equal to 1.6 percent of the 21.4 trillion U.S. GDP for the 2019 calendar year. For those not involved in any accidents in a given year, they pay approximately three-quarters of crash costs through insurance, taxes, and congestion-related costs.
To gather data for this report, the NHSTA drew information from accidents involving property damage, serious injuries and fatalities, as well as samples of crashes not reported to the police. Sources include the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Crash Investigation Sampling System, and the Crash Report Sampling System.
In an effort to help prevent vehicle accidents, General Motors launched its own safety brand back in 2021. Dubbed Periscope, this GM subsidiary is broken into three parts; vehicle technology, research and advocacy. Each of these sections is intended to promote consumer safety and contribute to lower accident rates. Under the Periscope safety brand, The General is working to make car accidents a thing of the past, which is part for the Detroit-based automakers overall goal of “zero crash, zero emissions, and zero congestion.”
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It is not the cars, but the drivers. We should spend more time teaching people to drive.
And it is speed that causes the most damages. People drive too fast. Lowering speed limits still saves money and lives. Anyone against this is in line to the next graveyard.
Strange how Germany has such a low accident rate, innit?
Where are you that people drive so fast? Here we have a bunch of old ladies in their little CUV’s driving 15 mph under the speed limit with dozens of cars stuck behind them.
I do not want to see anyone get injured, but the accidents do help keep America economy going. Before you jump on me, understand what I am saying. Auto accidents procides a lot of jobs in the wide scope of things, it just a fact. I hate to see anyone get injured. It keep a lot of industries with work, just true statement. “Auto insurance companies, I don’t give a—— about you! So before you give me a thumb down, please stop and think about what I am trying to say. I may not have used the correct and proper wording, but I tried to make my point without any i’ll feelings.
I assume we will have to ban automobiles when we outlaw guns………………………….Just saying……………….
So what ???
With 300+ million people whizzing around in little metal boxes, OF COURSE they’re going to bump into each other.
And people fall off ladders every day too. So what ?
This is just NHTSA hyping up the drama so as to justify its own existence – and push for ever more restrictions, requirements, and regulations (including absurdly low speed limits).
They can get stuffed.
Chris, you are in a hurry to die.
No, but I am a realist.
Too many idiot drivers and not enough drivers Ed.
Texting and driving is a big part, that and road rage.
In line with Dwight Morgan’s response. Same with Cancer, The medical and pharma industry, in MHO could have cured it years ago. $$$$$$ rules the world, both good $ and bad !
The last time I was in one ,I was stoped at a red lite, waiting to turn right, when I was rear ended, the person said “my brakes did not work” but I heard the antilock brakes working right before I was hit. It was sunny and in town somebody was just not paying attention to there driving.
And now the INSANE maniacs terrorizing our roadways & using their vehicles as deadly weapons will be behind the wheels of EVs that weigh 2 and 3 times the average ice vehicle and accelerate faster then ever ( See the related article on NSTB worries about EV weights). Great future ahead on America’s roadways!! Can’t wait………
They don’t have to weigh that much. If company’s like GM wouldn’t make things like the Hummer EV