Reduce Highway Fatalities

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security officials today announced preliminary figures indicating the state has recorded the fewest number of traffic fatalities in 48 years. In 2011, there were 947 traffic-related deaths on Tennessee roadways, representing the lowest figure since 1963 when 941 people were killed as a result of a crash.

Reduce Highway Fatalities

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney I try to keep my readers up-to-date on news about highway safety issues. Today I’d like to share some new information about a drop in highway fatalities.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the number and rate of traffic fatalities in 2010 fell to the lowest levels since 1949, despite a significant increase in the number of miles Americans drove during the year.

“Last year’s drop in traffic fatalities is welcome news and it proves that we can make a difference,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) early projections, the number of traffic fatalities fell three percent between 2009 and 2010, from 33,808 to 32,788. Since 2005, fatalities have dropped 25 percent, from a total of 43,510 fatalities in 2005. The same estimates also project that the fatality rate will be the lowest recorded since 1949, with 1.09 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the 1.13 fatality rate for 2009. The decrease in fatalities for 2010 occurred despite an estimated increase of nearly 21 billion miles in national vehicle miles traveled.

A regional breakdown showed the greatest drop in fatalities occurred in the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, where they dropped by 12 percent. Arizona, California and Hawaii had the next steepest decline, nearly 11 percent.

“The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be.”

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken a comprehensive approach to reducing roadway fatalities by promoting strong traffic safety laws coupled with high-visibility enforcement and through rigorous vehicle safety programs and public awareness campaigns.

Every person who drives the highways of Tennessee needs to take special care to help reduce fatalities. Simple things, such as obeying the speed limit, avoiding distractions, reporting drivers who create dangerous situations on the road and teach your younger drivers to do the same.

If you or a family member need the services of an experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyer you ought to check out the lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates. Take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Traffic Fatalities On The Increase

According to a recent comprehensive study conducted by the Tennessee Department of Safety there is bad news and more bad news about highway safety in Tennessee in 2010. According to the study traffic fatalities increased last year for the first time in five years. The number of traffic-related deaths rose from 986 in 2009 to 1,030 in 2010, a 4.5% increase.

The report went on to say that about 30 percent of the increase was attributed to pedestrian fatalities. There were 93 pedestrians killed on Tennessee traffic accidents last year, which is the highest number since 2003, when 96 pedestrians were killed.

The Department of Safety will begin an educational campaign to remind Tennesseans to follow the rules and regulations and help bring the death toll down. They will also employ enforcement initiatives to detect and remove impaired drivers from the roadways, education programs that focus on increasing safety belt usage.

The badder news is that although safety belt usage in Tennessee was 87.1 percent, according to survey data, 54 percent of passenger-vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes were not buckled up. And the most troubling of all, since 1998, motorcycle rider deaths have more than tripled in the state.

If you want to learn more about highway traffic in Tennessee you ought to visit the web site of the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates.

Decline In Fatal Traffic Accidents

Although there is never good news about a fatal automobile, tractor-trailer, motorcycle or pedestrian highway fatality, but, as an experienced Tennessee automobile accident lawyer I can tell you that when we hear news like what follows, there is cause for hope. The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, declining for the 15th consecutive quarter. According to early projections, the fatality rate, which takes into account the number of miles traveled, reached the lowest level ever recorded.

“This is exciting news, but there are still far too many people dying in traffic accidents,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Drivers need to keep their hands on the steering wheel and their focus on the road in order to stay safe.”

The projected fatality data for 2009 places the highway death count at 33,963, a drop of 8.9 percent as compared to the 37,261 deaths reported in 2008. The fatality rate for 2009 declined to the lowest on record, to 1.16 fatalities per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) down from 1.25 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2008.

“This continuing decline in highway deaths is encouraging, but our work is far from over,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland. “We want to see those numbers drop further. We will not stop as long as there are still lives lost on our nation’s highways. We must continue our efforts to ensure seat belts are always used and stay focused on reducing distracted and impaired driving.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes the decline in 2009 to a combination of factors that include, high visibility campaigns like Click It or Ticket to increase seat belt use, and Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest which helps with the enforcement of state laws to prevent drunk driving and distracted driving. In addition, the decline is also the result of safer roads, safer vehicles and motorists driving less.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a serious Tennessee car accident due to somebody else’s negligence, then you may be feeling angry, frightened, or even alone in your suffering. There is no reason for you to bear your burden alone.  The experience of a Tennessee auto accident is traumatic enough and your recovery will bring its own challenges.  You don’t need the added stress of worrying about who will pay for the medical care you need, how your car will be repaired, and if the individuals responsible for your suffering will be brought to justice.  This is the time to call Phillip Miller & Associates, the law firm of local Tennessee attorneys and staff who for the past 25 years have dedicated their lives to protecting the rights of injured men, women, and children in Tennessee.

Traffic Fatalities Down Nationwide

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney I hardly ever find good news to bring to my readers. Today I have some excellent news. According to the National Safety Council the United States is on track to achieve its lowest annual rate of traffic deaths ever recorded. The National Safety Council reports a 10 percent decrease in motor vehicle deaths during the first 10 months of 2009. An estimated 29,450 motor vehicle deaths occurred from January through October 2009. The annual population death rate from motor vehicle crashes also is down 10 percent at 11.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

As the struggling economy continues to decrease the number of vehicle miles traveled, NSC projects the total vehicle miles traveled in 2009 will be comparable to the relatively low miles traveled last year. With vehicle mileage unchanged, the 10 percent decrease in motor vehicle deaths results in an 8 percent reduction in the annual mileage death rate, down to 1.2 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

The continued decrease in motor vehicle fatality rates is likely the result of the poor economy. Improved safety features in vehicles, greater visibility and enforcement of traffic safety laws – including those related to child passengers, safety belt use, distracted driving, impaired driving, and teen driving – also contribute to the decrease.

In addition to human loss, motor vehicle crashes present a significant national cost in lost wages and productivity, medical expenses, administrative expenses, employer costs and property damage. The estimated cost of motor vehicle deaths, injuries and property damage through October 2009 was $175.5 billion, an 8 percent decrease from 2008.

But keep in mind, that if you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident you really need an experienced automobile accident lawyer to help you present your claim. When you hire a Nashville auto accident attorney from Phillip Miller & Associates, you’re getting a qualified and dedicated lawyer. Details about our attorneys and staff can be found by viewing our website at www.seriousinjury.com where you can get to know the men and women who will be looking out for your best interest.

Pedestrian Safety

Each year pedestrian fatalities comprise about 11 percent of all traffic fatalities and there are approximately 4,600 pedestrian deaths. Another 70,000 pedestrians are injured in roadway crashes annually. A pedestrian is defined as any person not in or upon a motor vehicle. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes. There were 70,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2007. Most pedestrian fatalities in 2007 occurred in urban areas (73%), at non-intersection locations (77%), in normal weather conditions (90%), and at night (67%). More than two-thirds (70%) of the pedestrians killed in 2007 were males. In 2007, the male pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 2.19  more than double the rate for females (0.91 per 100,000 population). In 2007, the male pedestrian injury rate per 100,000 population was 26, compared with 20 for females.

As we navigate the sidewalks and roadways on foot we must be particularly careful to keep a watch out for motor vehicles. Of particular importance is safety in parking lots. As we come and go from shopping, whether for groceries or other items, when we are walking in a parking lot we are most vulnerable to being hit by a car.

Witness a recent accident involving a Knox County family. According to an article on the website for  Knoxville TV station WBIR, Brad and Jessica Ingram and their two children were running errands and as they were leaving a shopping center parking lot, Mr. Ingram suffered a seizure and his foot landed on the accelerator. The van he was driving raced forward at full speed directly at a large retail store entrance. At the last second Jessica ingram grabbed the wheel and the vehicle hit a pylon and rolled over trapping the family inside. Fortunately none of the dozens of pedestrians who were in the area were injured. This situation could have turned out badly. It illustrates my main point here and that is that we have to be alert and free from distractions wherever we are.

Fortunately, these same pedestrians who were moments before in dire jeopardy acted quickly to pull the family from the vehicle and all were provided medical treatment and released. Neither of the children, each safely secured in car seats were injured.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville pedestrian/car accident contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.  We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Interstate 24

The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit their lowest level since 1961 and that fatalities in the first three months of 2009 continue to decrease. The fatality rate, which accounts for variables like fewer miles traveled, also reached the lowest level ever recorded.

According to the fatality data for 2008 placed the highway death count at 37,261, a drop of 9.7 percent from 2007. The fatality rate for 2008 was 1.27 persons per 100 million VMT, about 7 percent below the rate of 1.36 recorded for 2007.

Substantial declines occurred in virtually every major category, led by declines in passenger car occupant fatalities which dropped for the sixth year in a row, reaching the lowest level since DOT began keeping records. Light truck occupant fatalities fell for the third straight year. Alcohol-impaired fatalities also declined by more than 9 percent over 2007.

Continuing this trend, the January-March 2009 estimate of 7,689 deaths represents a nine percent decline from a year ago. It was the twelfth consecutive quarterly decline. The fatality rate for the first quarter of 2009 reached 1.12 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Preliminary data collected by the Federal Highway Administration showed that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) during the first three months of 2009 declined by about 11.7 billion miles.

The 2008 annual statistics did report, however, that motorcycle deaths increased for the 11th straight year and now account for 14 percent of all highway fatalities.

“While the number of highway deaths in America has decreased, we still have a long way to go,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

He added that the country has made major strides in increasing seat belt use, curtailing impaired driving, making roads and highways safer, and maximizing vehicle safety, all of which play important roles in the declining death rate.

Click here to view the 2008 fatality figures, including a state-by state rundown. State fatality data for 2008 was also made available. For more detailed individual state data, click here. Click here to view the preliminary 2009 first quarter estimates.