Americans are always on the go, and they most commonly rely on their own personal vehicles to get them where they need to be.
Unfortunately, this results in a variety of car accidents every day.
To better understand accidents and how they can be prevented, it is important to thoroughly examine accident statistics in the U.S.
Driving Trends
Before you can examine auto accidents in Atlanta, it is important to understand driving trends in the country. In 1991, Americans drove a total of 2,172 billion miles. In 2009, Americans drove a total of 2,979 billion miles.
This means that there was a 37% increase in total miles driven from 1991 to 2009.
Car Accidents
During the 1991-2009 time frame, the total number of car accidents reported on U.S. roadways actually fell by 10% down to roughly 5.5 million.
This tells us that even though Americans are driving more miles, fewer accidents are occurring. Additionally, the number of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents declined by 23% during this time period, and the rate of fatalities per every 1,000 accidents decreased from 5.2 to 4.4 people.
In terms of accident injuries, the trends are also positive. The number of occupants who were injured in car accidents fell by 29% from 1991 to 2009.
The reasons for these changes are difficult to identify, as a variety of factors can play a role. The reduction in traffic related deaths and injuries could be due to added safety features in vehicles or due to changes in how driving laws are enforced or how roadways are maintained, policed, and designed.
Whatever the cause, drivers in the U.S. should feel good about the changes that are occurring in the country in terms of accidents, but they should continue to practice safe driving in order to avoid becoming a statistic. Sustaining injuries like Whiplash can have a profound affect on how well you are able to function and follow with through your daily routine.
