In 2023, more cars equipped with advanced safety systems than ever before took to the roads. Auto manufacturers have spent millions on these technologies with a single goal in mind: to save lives. However, the National Safety Council estimates that the number of U.S. car crash-related deaths decreased by only 4% from 2022 to 2023.[1]
In 2023, an estimated 44,450 people died in road accidents. Individually, seven states plus the District of Columbia saw increases of 10% or more in car crash fatalities compared to 2022 rates:
- Washington, D.C.: 42%
- Rhode Island: 35%
- Arizona: 29%
- Idaho: 26%
- Iowa: 13%
- North Dakota: 12%
- Maryland: 11%
- Kentucky: 10%
Further, 5.4 million people sustained medically consulted injuries[2] in car accidents in 2021.
While those numbers are staggering, advances in car safety systems are in fact saving lives. But cutting into that progress are other types of technology that have the opposite effect — distracting drivers and leading to crashes and deaths.
In this article, we’ll examine car injury statistics, the evolution of car safety systems, and the correlation between the two. We’ll also discuss the types of distracted driving and their tremendous cost.
How Car Safety Systems are Evolving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), newer cars tend to have more onboard safety equipment, making them safer for passengers and saving countless lives[3].
Some of the most impactful advances in the past half-century include:
- Seat belts
- Air bags
- Rearview video systems
- Driver assistance technology such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control
Just how prevalent are tech-forward features like backup cameras and driver assistance today? These car accident safety systems stats shed some light on their adoption.
- Backup cameras: All vehicles manufactured after May 2018 must include a wide rearview video system[4]. These systems help increase drivers’ field of vision by 300% over a traditional rearview mirror.
- Blind spot detection: Many newer vehicles include blind spot detection[5], which uses sensors or cameras to detect vehicles or objects in the driver’s blind spots. While not currently required in all new vehicles, this safety feature can reduce the number of accidents in lane changes by 14%.
- Driver assistance: Many newer cars feature automated driver assistance, including technology that alerts the driver when an accident is imminent or when the car veers from its lane.
The Three Types of Distracted Driving
Even the newest and safest vehicles can’t eliminate the risk of distracted driving. No technology can replace the effectiveness of your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Distracted driving remains a big problem on U.S. roadways despite efforts to curb its impact.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distinguishes three types of distracted driving that contribute to crashes[6]:
- Visual distractions, such as looking away from the road to send a text message or using a navigation system
- Manual distractions, such as taking a hand off the wheel to eat food or answer a cell phone call
- Cognitive distractions, such as talking on the phone or using entertainment/infotainment systems while driving
Many states have passed laws to impose penalties for talking on cell phones or texting while driving, but the practice is still common enough to cause crashes that may be preventable. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving[7] killed 3,522 people in 2021 and injured an additional 362,415.
The most common distractions reported include:
- Using a cell phone or other electronic device
- Adjusting a radio, infotainment system, or climate control
- Eating or drinking
- Interacting with passengers
- Applying cosmetics
- Looking at something outside of the vehicle, such as a billboard or a car accident
- Getting lost in thought
- Crying or yelling children in the car
- Feeling extreme emotions
- Being sleep-deprived
Looking away from the road[8] for five seconds while traveling 55 miles per hour equates to driving the length of a football field. That’s a lot of ground in very little time. Simple strategies to keep your attention on the road may help reduce distractions.
- Never use your phone while driving. Use a hands-free device in an emergency, but keep your attention on the road. Put your phone on silent or do not disturb mode when driving to avoid potential distractions.
- Set up navigation or music before your drive.
- Don’t eat while driving.
- Pull over when you’re tired.
The High Cost of Distracted Driving Accidents
The National Safety Council estimated the cost of 2021’s accident-related deaths, injuries, and property damage to be about $498.3 billion[2], including wage and productivity losses, property damage, medical expenses, administrative expenses, and employer costs.
If another driver’s distracted driving caused an accident that injured you, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation. The liable driver may owe you compensation for the damages incurred.
However, lawsuits can easily become costly. The litigation process can be lengthy, costing you time and money if you’re unable to work due to your injury. Unfortunately, medical and living expenses do not wait, even when you have to.
USClaims can help provide the immediate financial support you need with pre-settlement funding — whether you were in a rear-end accident, broadside collision, or any other form of car accident.
Pre-settlement funding for car accidents takes some of the financial pressure off you as you wait for your case to settle. We review your case to determine the amount you qualify for based on your case’s anticipated outcome and settlement amount.
We purchase a portion of the anticipated court judgment or settlement you may be legally entitled to, giving you access to usable cash when you need it the most. We only recoup our costs after you receive a judgment or settlement. If you do not receive one, you don’t owe us anything.
Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
The availability of pre-settlement funding varies by state. Contact USClaims for more information.
Sources
- “Preliminary Semiannual Estimates.” National Safety Council (NSC) Injury Facts, https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/preliminary-estimates/. n.d.
- “Introduction.” National Safety Council (NSC) Injury Facts, https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/introduction/. n.d.
- “Newer Cars Are Safer Cars.” National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), https://www.nhtsa.gov/newer-cars-are-safer-cars. n.d.
- “Are Backup Cameras Necessary on New Vehicles?” | AutoInsurance.org, https://www.autoinsurance.org/are-backup-cameras-required-on-new-vehicles-updated/. 2023.
- “Blind Spot Monitoring: A Crucial Technology for Safer Roads.” National Coalition for Safer Roads, https://ncsrsafety.org/blind-spot-monitoring-a-crucial-technology-for-safer-roads/. 2023.
- “Distracted Driving.” Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/Distracted_Driving/index.html. 2022.
- “Traffic Safety Facts.” NHTSA, https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813443. 2023.
- “Distracted Driving.” NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving. n.d.