Traffic Fatalities Show Dramatic Increase, And No One's Quite Sure Why

The aftermath of a devastating automobile accident (Credit: ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd., Flickr).

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The number of traffic fatalities within the u. s. unexpectedly soared throughout the primary 3 months of 2012, in line withrecently released information.

Approximately seven,630 individuals were killed in automobile crashes within the 1st quarter, a 13.5 % miss a similaramount in 2011, in line with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The increase represents the second-highest quarterly spike since the organization began keeping records in 1975, andis also a stark distinction to a recent downward trend. it's the primary time in 5 quarters the speed has not decreased, and is just the third quarterly increase among the past twenty four quarters.

Transportation officers were at a loss to clarify the outbreak. in a very written unleash, NHTSA officers said it absolutely was "too soon to invest on the contributing factors," though a number of paragraphs later, they did simply that.

It notes that weather in several elements of the country was unseasonably heat this past winter, that may have placeadditional individuals on the roads at a time they were typically unable to log miles. Others said that the improving economy has place additional motorists on the road. Indeed, the Federal Highway Administration says that vehicle miles traveled increased by concerning nine.7 billion miles, or 1.4 percent, over the 2011 figures.

"While it's probably not the sole issue concerned AAA agrees that warmer-than-average winter weather could have contributed to higher vehicle miles traveled, and ultimately additional fatal crashes," Jacob Nelson, director of traffic safety advocacy and analysis with the car Association of America tells CNN.

The number of first-quarter traffic fatalities has fallen steadily since 2006, when there have been nine,558. In 2007, they dipped to nine,354, in 2008 reached eight,459, 7,552 in 2990 and half-dozen,729 in 2010. In 2011, the amountdecreased by 9 to six,720 before jumping this year.

Overall, traffic fatalities reached their highest levels in 1972, when 54,589 individuals were killed, in line with Department of Transportation figures. That annual range has additionally steadily fallen, reaching thirty two,310 last year.