Child traffic deaths at an all-time low, overall fatalities remain flat

Associated Press ^ | 4-22-02 | NEDRA PICKLER

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON (AP) --

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Drive SUV's, "for the children"?

[coloradan]

Note that "children" means under 16 to the car fatality crowd, but under 20 to the gun fatality crowd. Nothing like padding statistics to get the result you want. Just as in the case of gun fatalities, car fatalities would skyrocket if late teens were included - especially since this age group includes newly licensed drivers who are the most dangerous group on the road.

[Phantom Lord]

car fatalities would skyrocket if late teens were included - especially since this age group includes newly licensed drivers who are the most dangerous group on the road.

Teen drivers are danderous to themselves and their passengers moreso than to others on the road. If memory serves me right, most accidents resulting in death where a teenager is at the wheel are one car accidents.

Bluehairs are probably the most dangerous drivers on the road to other drivers.

[Minnesoootan]

"...laws requiring that children be belted ..."

OH,if that were only true,I know of a few that desperately need it. ;-)

NHTSA said the overall number of traffic fatalities dropped slightly, from 41,321 in 2000 to 41,730 in 2001

Huh?

[The Green Goblin]

I'm sorry to report that, overall, the death rate remains at 100%..

[Alberta's Child]

I've dealt with traffic accident statistics enough times to realize that a reduction in traffic deaths doesn't mean all that much in terms of vehicle safety, etc. unless it is accompanied by overall non-fatal accident figures. One of the reasons for this reduction in deaths is the constant improvement in emergency medical care -- people are surviving accidents today that would have killed them 10 years ago.

[Minnesoootan]

I agree!!! Also,I think the numbers just might mean that "kids" aren't traveling with parents as much anymore.....let's check the numbers on "kids" present in all accidents first before they praise their 5% on seatbelt laws...gawd I hate $%^^&^^% statistics!

[Timesink]

Overall traffic deaths remain "flat", eh? Heh heh heh.

[Cleburne]

When you count the rise in population it is a decrease I would assume.

[moyden]

"NHTSA said the overall number of traffic fatalities dropped slightly, from 41,321 in 2000 to 41,730 in 2001."

Hmmm ... Must be the "new math" taught in government schools.