Chart Of The Day: Why Have Road Fatalities Declined?
The chart [above] shows the rate of fatalities per 100 million miles driven. We have assembled the data, going back almost 100 years. Look at the chart closely. Can you see a drop in fatalities that corresponds with when seatbelts were first introduced? Or when legislation mandating their use was passed? Or what about when air bags become prevalent? What about a jump in fatalities that ties to the current “epidemic” in texting while driving?
I can’t. The data does show that fatalities dropped markedly during the Great Depression and WW II. Aside from that, the rate has been declining steadily for years. Decades, even. This is good news, but makes it hard to credit seatbelts, technology or the other factors that reflexively are given credit. I am not suggesting that we should all stop wearing seatbelts. I am suggesting that when thinking about transportation safety, there is more going on than we typically consider.
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I see the increase from 1960 to 1966 as being symptomatic of the first Boomers turning 16 and getting their license and then thinning out the herd. I bet we see an upward trend for the next 20 years as the Boomers turn 65, keep driving, and start having those age related accidents. Stay away from those farmer's markets, everyone!
Perhaps it's due to stricter enforcement of traffic laws?
There is a spike starting at the bottom of the Great Depression - 1932. Since the data starts with 1921 I wonder how much the condition of roads has to do with fatality rates in the early 20s? At that tiime most roads were not paved. Condition of the roads probably dovetails with what's been said about the availability of EMS.