While the car crash-related death rates in the United States fell almost a third in the last 14 years, the nation's figures are still highest in the world. When compared to other high-income countries, the U.S. still tops the world's list of car crash fatalities, a new report finds.
How bad are the numbers? Every day, about 90 Americans die in car accidents. Among the 20 countries involved in the latest study, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the nation's roadway death rates are still the highest.
Dr. Debra Houry, the director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at CDC, said that it is vital to look not just in the past for comparison but also to the nation's potential. The fact that other high-income nations are "doing better," the U.S. can also do the same. Houry added that Americans deserve "better and safer transport."
From 2000 to 2013, the rate of car crash deaths in the country dropped by 31 percent. Despite the huge reduction, other countries had an average decline rate of 56 percent during the same time. Of all the countries examined, Spain had the highest reduction in car crash deaths at 75 percent.
The report found that the United States had the least reduction in car crash death rates. The examination also found that lack of seat belts, as well as alcohol usage, account for many of the car crash-related deaths, suggesting bigger progress is plausible.
According to transportation safety team lead Erin Sauber-Schatz at CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, approximately 3,000 deaths could be prevented yearly by increasing the use of seat belts to 100 percent. Moreover, up to 10,000 lives could be saved yearly if alcohol-impaired driving is eradicated.
"Despite our vehicles being safer than ever before, we still lose 100 people every day in car crashes, and we are on the wrong side of the trend," said the U.S. National Safety Council (NSC), stressing that it is "frustrated" by the recent findings.
Apart from eliminating drunk driving, the CDC said that car crash-related deaths could be avoided by using seat belts not just in the front seats, but also in the rear seats. The proper use of car and booster seats among children until they reach 8 years old could also help. Moreover, following the speed limits and preventing distractions while driving will also help.
The researchers analyzed the 2000 to 2013 data from the U.S. International Road Traffic and Accident Database. The findings were released in the CDC's Vital Signs report on July 6.
