Car crashes are the main cause of fatalities in people ages five to 29. Even a minor traffic accident in Hayward, California, can impact on the parties involved emotionally and economically. Statistics help give a better understanding of the frequency and causes.
General traffic accident information
A report from the National Safety Council calculated the chances of being in a fatal car crash is one in 107. Motor vehicle accidents cause about 1.3 million fatalities yearly around the world, with 46,000 occurring in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports 38,824 fatalities occurred in 2020, making it the highest number since 2007.
Males are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes, accounting for 25,841 of fatalities in 2019 compared to 10,676 for females. The NHTSA found in 2017 rear-end crashes occurred the most frequently at a rate of 29% and the second most common in 2019. The most dangerous time to drive is between 5 pm and 7 pm during the week and on Friday between 3 pm and 6 pm.
Statistics and information on causes
Studies show even an increase of 1% in speed raises the fatal accident risk by 4% and serious accident risk by 3%. A study from Everquote found drivers drive an average of 10 mph over the speed limit and don’t consider it speeding.
Drunk driving causes 30 fatal crashes daily in the U.S., which is equal to one every 52 minutes. Distracted driving caused 3,100 fatalities and 424,000 injuries, mostly involving people walking or cycling in 2019. Snow and icy or slushy pavements cause 24% of crashes yearly, and weather accounts for more vehicle accidents than large weather-related events.