(Sleep, Journal of the Sleep Research Society, 2017), Men (17%) are three times as likely as women (5%) to say they have fallen asleep at the wheel. The more you learn about these driving statistics, the more frightening it gets. and it turns out American roads got even more dangerous as the . The survey also showed that men are more likely than women to . (FHWA, 2019), In 2019, 80.2% of fatal large truck crashes occurred in good weather (clear or cloudy). While the majority of the U.S. population live in urban areas, about half of all accidents occur in rural areas where only 20% of the population lives. Dialing a phone increases a driver's chance of crashing by 12 times. (Insurance Information Institute, 2019), In 2018, speeding was the cause of 31% of motorcyclist fatalities, 18% of car driver fatalities, 14% of light-truck driver fatalities, and 7% of large-truck driver fatalities. (NHTSA, 2019), Some 480,000 school buses carry 25 million children - more than half of America's schoolchildren - each day, making the school bus industry the largest form of mass transit in the United States. Only 1.9% occurred in snow, and another 1.9% occurred under such limited-visibility conditions as fog, smog, and smoke. See how age influences motor vehicle accidents and fatalities. (FMCSA, 2021), In 2019, 33 percent of work zone fatal crashes and 14 percent of work zone injury crashes involved at least one large truck. (American School Bus Council, 2019), Almost one-third of those who died taking a school bus to school were killed while they were approaching or leaving the bus. Young drivers have made up 19 percent of all driver fatalities in the state between 2017 and 2021, according to a study . (FHWA, 2019), Each year, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15% happen during snowfall or sleet. This is one of the more scary stats. With that said, driving in reverse, when calculated on a per-milage basis, is far more dangerous than driving forwards. To learn more about all AAA has to offer or to become a member, visitAAA.com. Get ready, because this is some scary stuff. (Driver Knowledge, 2019), Crash risk is highest during the first year that drivers are licensed. Since 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safe mobility. The highest percentage of drunk drivers are between the ages of 21 and 24. Copyright 2023 AAA. (IIHS, 2021), In 2019, 49% of drivers, 53% of front-seat passengers, and 29% of rear-seat passengers who were killed were wearing seat belts. The most cited reason for not wearing a seat belt in the rear seat was the belief that the rear seat is safer than the front seat. (Business Insider, 2016), 80% of all cargo in America is transported by the trucking industry, four times as much as air (8%), pipeline (6%), rail (4%), and water (2%) combined. For drivers ages 16-19, the crash rate per mile driven is nearly 4 times the rate for drivers ages 20 and older. (The Zebra, 2021), In a 2021 survey of American drivers, 75.8% of respondents had driven on black ice, but 57.9% of respondents never used snow tires in the winter. All Rights Reserved. Texting While Driving Is More Dangerous Than Intoxication. About one-third of all traffic fatalities are caused, in part, due to driving too fast. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2018), A study of 3,541 drivers conducted in 2012-2013 found that drivers with shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) were 7.50 times as likely to have a crash or near-crash than control drivers (drivers without any sleep disorders). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016), It is estimated that in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. Geeze! Only 2% of Uber drivers earn more than $1,500 per month, and none earn more than $2,000. Visual. But what exactly is distracted driving and how does it impact your risks behind the wheel? 8.0% occurred in rain. (IIHS, 2021), In 2018, the rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population was highest for pedestrians ages 80-84. Learn the main reasons that cause deadly motor vehicle crashes. In contrast with Company Drivers, only 39.2% of OO/ICs rated Healthcare/Retirement Savings as a top motivating factor. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. (IIHS, 2021), Among bicyclists ages 16 and older who were killed in 2019, 21% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08% (meaning they were legally intoxicated at the time). In 2.5% of fatal large truck crashes, a passenger in the truck was killed; in 15.5%, a passenger in another vehicle was killed. Speeding Causes Most Accidents & Fatalities Did you know that driving too fast is linked to the majority of all traffic accidents? Dropdown to filter by a specific type of media, Driven 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway, Driven while holding and talking on a cell phone, Driven while reading a text or email on a cell phone, Driven aggressively by switching lanes quickly or very close behind another car, Driven when so tired it was hard to keep eyes open, Driven when you had enough alcohol that you thought you were over the legal limit, Driven within an hour of consuming cannabis, 92% think its very or extremely dangerous, 96% think someone important to them would disapprove, 26% admitted to doing it in the last 30 days, 88% think its very or extremely dangerous, 23% admitted to doing it in the last 30 days. (TeenSafe, 2018), In 2020, 22.7% of drivers reported that they typed or sent email or a text message on a hand-held cell phone within the past 30 days. In 2018, there were 5.2 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population. (Safe Kids Worldwide, 2018), Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash. Meanwhile, through June 24, 2023, NOAA statistics show 55 deaths related to rip currents in the U.S. You would think since cars are getting safer that this state would be improving, but its not. Car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths. (FHWA, 2019), One work zone fatality occurs for every 4 billion vehicle-miles of travel and for every $112 million worth of roadway construction expenditures. (NHTSA, 2018), One in three teens who text say they have done so while driving. (IIHS, 2021), In 2019, 34% of children ages 12 and under who were killed in passenger cars were unrestrained (no seatbelt or child safety seat). Even if youre the best driver in the world, you cant control other peoples driving. Motorcyclists were significantly less likely to be admitted to the hospital if they crashed wearing motorcycle jackets (relative risk = 0.79, 95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.91), pants (RR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25-0.94), or gloves (RR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26-0.66). Who says learning how to drive stops at the age of 16? The page will be updated as new stats are collected. Doesnt that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Drivers with a DUI violation: 4.74%. Besides, it will make you a safer driver anyway. (IIHS, 2021), Among drivers involved in fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways in 2010-2018, 60.1% of the wrong-way drivers had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.08% or more, compared with 11.0% for the right-way drivers. 23% involved the front of the passenger vehicle striking the rear of the large truck. According to new survey data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, this is a reversal in the steady declines in these dangerous driving behaviors in the three years from 2018 through 2020. (Statista, 2020), Speed-related crashes cost Americans $40.4 billion each year. (Actually, modern front-seat safety devices have negated that safety advantage.) (National Sleep Foundation, 2018), A study conducted in 2010-2013 of the behavior of more than 3,500 drivers found that driver drowsiness was a factor in 8.8-9.5% of all vehicle crashes and 10.6-10.8% of vehicle crashes that resulted in major property damage, airbag deployment, or injury. (NHTSA, 2021), Over 492,000 plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in 2021. If you need stats for Canada, check out these resources: Canada driving statistics and Ontario driving statistics .) Among Company Drivers, the top three motivating factors were Job Security/Stability (88.5%), Income (83.1%), and Healthcare/Retirement Savings (79.1%). 1. (NHTSA, 2021), In 2019, there were 6,358 rollover fatalities, a decline of 41.3% from the peak of 10,825 rollover fatalities in 2005. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. (NHTSA, 2018), Among bicyclists killed in 2019, 15% were wearing helmets and 62% were not. (IIHS, 2021), Among car drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2019, 21.5% of those aged 16-20, 42.3% of those aged 21-30, 39.0% of those aged 31-40, 32.7% of those aged 41-50, and 17.1% of those over age 50 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08% (which qualifies as legal intoxication). Understand how speeding affects road safety and get the most recent national data on car accidents, pedestrian safety and winter driving. (NHTSA, 2021), In 2019, 42% of pedestrians 16 and older killed in nighttime (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) crashes had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08% (the legal limit), compared with 61% in 1982. (NHTSA, 2018), One in four drivers used a cell phone right before they were involved in a crash. (NHTSA, 2018), 42% of the surveyed drivers said they don't consider going 10 mph over the speed limit to be speeding. I know that Ive become very comfortable over the years driving. There were 132 worker fatalities. Online Drivers Ed Programs That Take You Off-Road, Heres How to Pass your Texas Drivers License Tests, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (IIHS, 2020), IIHS estimates that equipping large trucks with FCW will reduce the rate of front-to-rear large truck crashes per mile by 44%. Non-motorcycle boots were also associated with a reduced risk of injury compared to shoes or joggers (RR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28-0.75). (US Department of Transportation, 2020), Over 50% of the five million yearly car crashes in the United States are caused by aggressive drivers, with speeding being the most prevalent contributor to this statistic. (European Commission, 2019), Death rates from road traffic accidents are three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries. (Zippia, 2021). (IIHS, 2021), In 2018, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for female teenagers and the second leading cause (after suicide) of death for male teenagers. (EU Mobility & Transport, 2019), Elderly drivers make up for physical disadvantages through their driving experience. (NHTSA, 2019), Most of those schoolchildren who are killed in school bus-related accidents are 5 to 7 years old. The others were pedestrians (9%), motorcyclists (7%), bicyclists (2%), riders of all-terrain vehicles (2%), and people in other kinds of vehicles (3%). (IIHS, 2021), Among motorcyclists (drivers, not passengers) killed in 2019, 61% were wearing helmets, 36% were not, and the rest were unknown. 74% of these rollovers followed a pre-rollover impact; the other 26% occurred without hitting anything beforehand. 8,9 Teens are also more likely than adults to make critical errors that can lead to serious crashes. (The legal limit for BAC is under 0.08% in most US states.) In 1985, there were 7.53 fatal bus crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Nevertheless, 17.3% of them admitted that at least once in the past 30 days, they had driven while being so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open. Combined, Uber and Lyft were responsible for up to 14% of vehicle miles traveled in the United States. (IIHS, 2019), In 2018, 37% of bicyclist deaths occurred at intersections. Top 10 Scary Driving Statistics For 2023 | Drive-Safely.net (FMCSA, 2021), In 2019, 62% of crash fatalities were passenger vehicle (cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans) occupants, 17% were pedestrians, 14% were motorcyclists, 2% were bicyclists, and 2% were occupants of large trucks. (Driver Knowledge, 2019), A 2020 survey of US drivers ages 16 and older found that 12% of the respondents admitted to not wearing a seatbelt at least once while driving in the past 30 days, and 3% said they drive without wearing a seatbelt often or regularly. So, are you a safe driver or an average driver? The survey found that 1.5% of drivers had BACs at or above 0.08% (which constituted legal intoxication). Automotive, Travel, and Traffic Safety Information. High driving statistics | finder.com That's more than seven people/day during these 100 Deadliest Days - the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day - compared to the rest of the year (six people/day). But driving is likely the most dangerous thing you ever do, and most of us are in a car nearly every day! Many different online drivers ed courses exist for both teens and adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has seemed to change many people's driving habits for the worse, with fatalities up 10 percent in a year. Dont forget to send your certificate to your car insurance company! These were the lowest rates since the early 1970s. "Even if there are red flags flying, people look at the water and say, 'Oh, I've been in waves that big before. (With level 5, a driver has no choice but to rely on it.) (American Transportation Research Institute, 2022), An online survey of 2,097 truck drivers in AugustSeptember 2021 found that longer trip lengths were more prevalent among OO/IC respondents. (Business Insider, 2016), Truck driving is also the most dangerous occupation in the United States, with 28.3 fatal injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in 2018. Among Company Driver respondents, 55.4% reported operating local or regional trips of less than 500 miles per trip. 55% of them were one year of age or younger. (HowStuffWorks.com, 2021), The Takata airbag recall was the largest recall in US automotive history, involving the recall of about 70 million vehicles. See what role truck, buses and taxis play in our lives. However, while 13.55% say it's not safe for drivers to smoke weed before driving, they do believe that driving high is safer than drunk driving, with only 1.25% thinking that being drunk behind the wheel is the safer option. Oklahoma gains the dubious accolade of being the 3rd most dangerous driving state in America. DMV practice tests for every US state. Wearing seat belts in an SUV, van, or pickup truck reduces the risk of fatal injury by 60% and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 65%. Oh, and I almost forgot There is a 1 in 20 chance that the crash you have will involve a serious injury. It took an average of 40 seconds to complete the programming of GPS navigation plus 13 more seconds for the brain to refocus after completing the task. 35.1% of respondents named an ice scraper as the most important tool to have in the winter, followed by gloves or mittens (28%) and sand or kitty litter (25.4%). 9% of distracted driving injury crashes . Hazardous materials were released from 17% of the placarded trucks in those crashes. In states with universal helmet laws, 84% of motorcyclists were wearing helmets judged compliant with federal safety regulations, compared with 54% in states without such laws. Ever notice how you do it too? AAA recommends these safety tips to keep in mind. AAA provides more than 61 million members with automotive, travel, insurance and financial services through its federation of 32 motor clubs and more than 1,000 branch offices across North America. (IIHS, 2021), In motorcycle crashes in 2016, wearing a helmet reduced the likelihood of death by 37% for the operator and 41% for the passenger. (NHTSA, 2006)every day in America. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2021), Among US residents in 20192020, married residents drove an average of 68.3 minutes and 34.9 miles, more than did those of any other marital status. (NHTSA, 2018), An outside temperature in the mid-60s Fahrenheit can cause a vehicle's interior temperature to rise above 110 degrees. (IIHS, 2021), In 2018, 48% of motorcyclist deaths occurred on weekends, and those deaths were more likely to occur after 6 p.m. compared with weekdays. Among fatally injured occupants aged 16-19, seat belt use among passengers (31%) was considerably lower than among drivers (50%). (IIHS, 2021), In 2018, 8.02% of US households owned motorcycles. (DriveTeam, 2017), Speed was a factor in 31% of US teen driver fatalities. Since 1975, the decline in deaths among female bicyclists (34%) was about 3 times the decline among male bicyclists (12%). (FMCSA, 2021), In 2019, 36% of all fatal large truck crashes, 22% of all injury crashes, and 20% of all property-damage-only crashes involving large trucks occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Also, 36% of fatalities in large truck crashes occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sixteen percent of all fatal large truck crashes, 22% of all injury crashes, and 21% of all property-damage-only crashes involving large trucks occurred between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (FMCSA, 2021), In 2019, 83% of fatal crashes involving large trucks and 86% of nonfatal crashes occurred on weekdays (Monday through Friday). (IIHS, 2021), Globally, car accidents are the leading cause of death among young adults ages 15-29 - and the ninth leading cause of death for all people. (Consumer Reports, 2017), In 2017, law enforcement agencies made nearly one million arrests for driving under the influence (DUI). The next most frequent (13%) distraction was cellphone use, followed by external objects or events (rubbernecking) (7%). (Operation Lifesaver, 2021), 591 (81.2%) of the 728 fatalities at railroad crossings in 2019 were of trespassers. Eleven percent of the taxi drivers were LGBT. This does not include possible additional driving impairment from medications taken to treat the common cold. (IIHS, 2021), In 2019, pedestrian deaths accounted for 17% of all crash fatalities. (US Department of Transportation, 2020), Drunk driving costs the United States $199 billion every year (MADD, 2017), Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for more than 30% of all driving fatalities each year. (IIHS, 2021), One study found that in modern cars with front-seat safety devices such as airbags, the risk of a restrained passenger dying in a crash was no greater in the front seat than in the rear seat. Since 1998, 805 children have died in overheated vehicles. 13% of the deaths of passengers of all ages occurred when a teenager was driving. (KidsandCars.org, 2021), Among children who died in overheated vehicles in 1990-2020, 55% of them were unknowingly left in the vehicle, 26% of them gained access to the vehicle on their own, 14% of them were knowingly left in the vehicle, and the circumstances of the rest were unknown. people die as a result of drunk-driving crashes every day in America. Side impacts accounted for another 25% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths. In 2019, 10,142 died from drunk driving car accidents. About one-third of all traffic fatalities are caused, in part, due to driving too fast. In 2001-2003, truck driver fatigue was associated with 13% of serious truck crashes. Every year, our roadways improve, our vehicles are better designed, and many people are beginning to drive less as well. Drunk Driving | Statistics and Resources | NHTSA U.S. Roads in 2021 Are Most Dangerous in a Decade, Says NHTSA Fifty-nine percent of the hazardous materials released in fatal large truck crashes were flammable liquids, such as gasoline. (AAA, 2021), In 2020,94% of motorcyclists observed in states with universal helmet laws were wearing helmets. On the other hand, 5-axle tanker trucks were more common among Company Drivers (9.7%) than among OO/ICs leased to a motor carrier (4.6%) or OO/ICs with their own authority (2.5%). (IIHS, 2019), It is estimated that 25% of crash deaths could be prevented if all motor vehicle drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.08% or more were prevented from driving. (PolicyAdvice, 2021), In 2021, 43% of all Uber trips in the US were travel to dinners or parties. (IIHS, 2020), IIHS and HLDI have found that rear automatic braking reduced car crashes during backing by 78%. ), Every day in America, another 30 people die in drunk driving crashes. (IIHS, 2021), In driver's-side crashes, side airbags with head protection reduce a car driver's risk of death by 37% and an SUV driver's risk by 52%. Ninety percent of bicyclist deaths in 2019 were among those aged 20 and older. (NHTSA, 2017), In 2018, 26% of pedestrian deaths in 2018 occurred in crashes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and 24% occurred between 9 p.m. and midnight. (American School Bus Council, 2019), It would take over 17 million cars to transport all the students currently riding on all school buses in the United States. Texas driving: New report shows top 10 most dangerous states for young (IIHS, 2021), 20% of drivers say they've styled their hair from behind the wheel. (NHTSA, 2021), 58% of police-reported fatal car accidents in the US involved only one vehicle. (TeenSafe, 2018), 61% of drivers say texting is only acceptable if they have a hands-free, voice-activated option; 34% say if it's an emergency; 24% say never. (FMCSA, 2021), Total annual car mileage saved by students riding school buses is 62,399,998,800. 16% of these deaths were truck occupants, 67% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. Lyft employed 1.4 million drivers worldwide. The children are struck either by the school bus itself or by a passing vehicle, even though it is illegal for a vehicle to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing. I mean really, how many miles do you drive going backwards? The predominant age of young backover victims is 12-23 months of age. (IIHS, 2021), Among killed passenger vehicle occupants with known restraint use, 47% of those in the front row and 57% of those in the second row of seats were unrestrained. This is mainly due to an increased risk of injury and medical complications, not an increased risk of crashes. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2021). (American Trucking Associations, 2020), An online survey of 2,097 truck drivers in AugustSeptember 2021 found that more than eight percent were female; 14.5% of company drivers and 14.9% of owner-operator/independent carrier drivers (OO/ICs) were college graduates; and 1.6% of company drivers and 2.4% of OO/ICs had a masters degree.