Posted on 07/26/2012 6:45:00 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
After a decade of sharp declines, highway fatalities increased unexpectedly during the first quarter of 2012, according to preliminary government data – and a warm winter may catch at least some of the blame. Traffic deaths surged a substantial 13.5% for the three-month period, according to a preliminary analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s a significant reversal of recent trends. Last year, roadway fatalities fell 1.7%, to the lowest overall total in more than 60 years. And, on a per-mile basis, it was an all-time record. For the first quarter of this year, NHTSA says 7,360 people were called in traffic accidents, up from 6,720 the year before. If that figure holds it would work out to about 1.10 deaths per 100 million miles driven compared to 0.98 deaths the year before. Despite bad winter road conditions in many parts of the country, the first quarter generally sees a decline in traffic deaths because people drive less. And, in general, American motorists have been curtailing driving, in recent years, to compensate for rising fuel prices. But there was a 1.4% surge in the number of miles Americans drove during the first quarter of 2012, and that may have been encouraged by the unusually mild winter that brought spring and even summer-like temperatures to much of the country.
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
I read the article earlier today. Bottom line - global warming.
What percent of that was caused by ‘Illegals’ ???
Well, We the Government built those roads; cannot THEY be sued?
What percent of that was caused by ‘Illegals’ ???
Another hidden “unexpected” factor, no doubt.
The media always says that SUVs are unsafe. If I were in an accident, I would want to be in an SUV and not in a “smart car”. I would say the SUV is safe and the “smart car” is unsafe. But what do I know?
Do we really need to spend more tax dollars on the NHTSA to find out why this is?
Gasoline demand is dropping so this 1.4% “surge” in the number of miles Americans are driving probably won’t last. (If it existed at all).
I think the NHTSA is just trying to justify their existence.
Precisely! Little green, lib idiots “saving the earth” driving 50 lb cars made of plastic. Couple that with 70 mph and...kablooey.
Just bury the car after the accident...
My daughter was driving a1996 Buick Rivera when a new Dodge Neon came over the hill on a country highway in her lane. It was a 70 vs. 70 mph impact. She left the scene with a strained foot and shoulder. The other driver never had a chance.
If the Leftists were consistent, there would be a huge clamor for there to be car control today.
Do you realize there were 32,885 vehicle deaths in 2011?
Between the idiots on their cell phones and the idiots weaving though traffic it is getting absolutely scary out on the roads.
Also factor in tires. No one can afford new tires. Next time you're in the Wal-Mart parking lot check this out ... baldies galore. Broken sidewalls. Metal showing. $300 bucks ... BFD nowadays.
Brakes. As a motor head many of my friends are coming to me with "brake noise." Worn pads and then bad rotors, and shockingly, very few Americans can do this simple repair for themselves ... lots of cars running with bad brakes, no front end maintenance, broken lights ... The Mombasa MF has gotten people too broke to care for their automobiles, many of which are idled because of high re-registration and insurance costs. Not to mention fuel at $3.50+/gal.
The Marxist Mulatoto has turned a large swath of the "Middle Class" into a 21st C version of the Joad Family. The people are broke, running bad equipment, on "Empty."
When you hit the brakes on that thing, how does it not perform a somersault?
Perhaps people are flying less and driving more. I will not step onto an airplane (unless it is an extreme emergency) because of the TSA. I will not risk them touching my children or me.
Smart sells about 1000/month and by my observation mostly in urban areas.
Hard to imagine they even make a blip in the fatality numbers.
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