NSC report estimates 2% decline in traffic deaths in 2019

In 2017, there were 40,231 car crash fatalities in California and throughout the U.S. The number went down 2% to 39,404 in 2018, and now the National Safety Council has attested to another 2% decline in 2019: An estimated 38,800 people may have died in car crashes that year. While the gradual decline is good news, safety experts agree, and you will likely agree as well, that the number is still tragically high.

More ADAS vehicles may be one factor

However gradual it is, the decrease is the fruit of certain improvements in safety, first of all vehicle safety. More and more new vehicles are equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, which include features like:

• Forward and rear collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive headlights
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning systems

ADAS features are known to either avert crashes altogether or reduce the severity of the ones that do occur. Sadly, many drivers don’t know what safety features their vehicle has, in which case they may want to consult the NSC’s “My Car Does What” website.

Cities and states cracking down on negligence

Many cities have started to improve traffic safety through the redesigning of high-risk areas and other measures. Ten cities have adopted Vision Zero models for improvement. Also unique is how Utah lowered its legal blood alcohol concentration to 0.05 in the effort to combat DUI.

Accident victims may file an injury claim

Despite these safety features and safety measures, it’s up to individual drivers whether or not they want to act negligently. Many victims of motor vehicle accidents are the victims of negligence. If this describes you, you may want a lawyer to assess your case and determine if you can file a personal injury claim. The process can be complicated, so if you do file, you may want the lawyer to handle negotiations.