Death in the USA

Road deaths are on the increase

By PH Staff / Thursday, 24 April 2003 / Loading comments

It's not a good time for car makers in the US. The number of deaths on the roads rose there in 2002 was the highest for more than ten years. Over 42,000 people were killed in crashes up 1.7% from the previous year.

In America it's seems it's not speed that kills but drunken drivers and lack of seatbelt use amongst other factors. An incredible 42% of deaths were associated with drinking and driving whilst the majority of those killed weren't wearing seatbelts.

Those involved in drink-driving incidents were more likely to be driving an SUV, van or motorbike. Over 10,000 of the deaths were associated with SUVs or pick up trucks rolling over.

"If we are ever going to reduce the needless deaths on the nation's highways, we're going to need the American public to bear greater responsibility for their personal safety," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

The one piece of good news was that Americans are driving even more, so the deaths per mile travelled remained stable.

Link: Full Report (PDF)