Bicycle and Large Truck Fatalities Increase, While National Traffic Fatalities Fall
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Even though last year traffic fatalities dropped to their lowest level since 1949, bicycle and large truck deaths are on the rise, and not by a small amount. While overall traffic-related deaths down 1.9%, bicyclist deaths are up 8.7% and large trucks fatalities are up 20% from the previous year.
While studying these findings, experts have agreed on a few reasons for the increase in bicyclist fatalities. Firstly, as the nation “goes green” there are simply more bikes on our roads. More bicyclists are commuting to and from work, and more people biking for pleasure. In fact, Washington D.C. Reported a 175% increase of bicyclists traveling during rush hour since 2004.
“Our culture is beginning to move away from driving and toward healthier and greener modes of transportation's,” said Jonathan Adkins, deputy executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “We need to be able to accommodate all these forms of transportation safely.”
Although experts are able to provide explanations as to why the rate of bicyclist deaths has increased, they are by and large puzzled by the drastic increase in large truck fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration to retrieve more information in order to better understand the increase. With the limited information they have gathered, the administration is citing higher speed limits which lead to more fatal accidents, as well as the gradual improvement of the economy which has led to more trucks returning to the roads.
Although the 2011 overall decrease in traffic-related deaths was something to be proud of, preliminary crash data for this year is showing that motor vehicle deaths and injuries are trending upward again.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bradley Parker
Bradley Parker is a successful and experienced Dallas personal injury and accident attorney who is dedicated to seeking maximum compensation for his clients in all different types of injury and accident cases. Contact Mr. Parker for a free legal consultation if you or someone you love have suffered an injury due to the negligence of someone else.
Copyright Parker McDonald, P.C.
More information about Parker McDonald, P.C.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
“Our culture is beginning to move away from driving and toward healthier and greener modes of transportation's,” said Jonathan Adkins, deputy executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “We need to be able to accommodate all these forms of transportation safely.”
Although experts are able to provide explanations as to why the rate of bicyclist deaths has increased, they are by and large puzzled by the drastic increase in large truck fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration to retrieve more information in order to better understand the increase. With the limited information they have gathered, the administration is citing higher speed limits which lead to more fatal accidents, as well as the gradual improvement of the economy which has led to more trucks returning to the roads.
Although the 2011 overall decrease in traffic-related deaths was something to be proud of, preliminary crash data for this year is showing that motor vehicle deaths and injuries are trending upward again.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bradley Parker
Bradley Parker is a successful and experienced Dallas personal injury and accident attorney who is dedicated to seeking maximum compensation for his clients in all different types of injury and accident cases. Contact Mr. Parker for a free legal consultation if you or someone you love have suffered an injury due to the negligence of someone else.
Copyright Parker McDonald, P.C.
More information about Parker McDonald, P.C.
View all articles published by Parker McDonald, P.C.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
