Latest Estimates Reveal Increase in 2015 Traffic Fatalities

Posted on behalf of Jeff Pitman on February 16, 2016 in Car Accidents
Updated on February 24, 2022

traffic fatalitiesAccording to the U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), early estimates of traffic fatalities during 2015 show a 9.3 percent spike over the previous year.

More than 26,000 traffic fatalities occurred during the first nine months of 2015 compared with 23,796 deaths in the first nine months of 2014. Regionally, spikes varied between two and 20 percent.

Last years increase in deaths is a sharp contrast to the steady decline that we have experienced over the last decade. The number of fatalities declined by 1.2 percent in 2014 and by more than 22 percent between 2000 and 2014.

A Recommitment to Safety

The news coincides with a series of regional summits hosted by the NHTSA focused on preventing auto accidents and addressing new strategies for saving lives. The increase in the number of traffic fatalities in 2015 highlights the fact that more must be done to make the roads a safer place for motorists.

Decades of NHTSA data shows that human factors contribute to 94 percent of collisions. The agency hopes to initiate behavioral changes in Americans driving habits by taking on new initiatives and focusing on continual issues like drunk driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Wisconsin January Deaths Hit Record Low

Despite the significant increase in national traffic fatalities in 2015, January traffic deaths in Wisconsin were the second lowest since the 1940s. According to preliminary data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 21 drivers, six passengers and one pedestrian have died in auto accidents so far this year.

All of this data is a reminder to motorists to eliminate distractions while driving and to never get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

If you been injured because of another persons negligence on the road, contact a car accident lawyer in Milwaukee at Pitman, Kalkhoff, Sicula & Dentice today to schedule your legal consultation right away.

Call 877-877-2228 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.

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