The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) data indicates roadway deaths levelling off after two year surge – the news isn’t all good though

January 31, 2023, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) data indicates roadway deaths levelling off after two year surge – the news isn’t all good though.

American and Canadian driving trends generally are accepted as being similar. The NHTSA data released this month should be encouraging for traffic safety analysts in both countries, not to mention for police and drivers. Car accident deaths (roadway fatalities) are a leading cause of traumatic death and traumatic injury to other vehicle occupants in both countries.

The NHSTA estimates that there was a 0.2% decrease in fatalities for 2022 as compared to 2021. There were two consecutive quarters in 2022 that showed a decline in fatalities. This data is based on driving patterns that have resumed to pre-pandemic norms. 

The disturbing news from the data is that although car accident deaths have begun to level off and decrease, deaths among pedestrians and cyclists continued to rise. Vulnerable road user safety has been a concern here in Waterloo Region as well, with police citing driver inattention (distracted driving), pedestrian and cyclist inattention, and excessive driver speed as contributing factors.

Some other interesting statistics for 2022 from the NHTSA report include:

As compared to the first half of 2021, fatalities decreased:

• 10% in children younger than 16
• 10% on urban collector and local roads
• 9% in vehicle rollover crashes
• 8% in people ages 16 to 24
• 7% in crashes involving passengers ejected from a vehicle
• 7% in unbelted people in passenger vehicles
• 2% in speeding-related crashes

As compared to the first half of 2021, fatalities increased:

• 12% on rural interstates
• 10% in crashes involving at least one large truck
• 8% among cyclists
• 5% among motorcyclists
• 2% among pedestrians

We will report on the Canadian statistics for 2022 when they become available. In the meantime police and safety experts recommend that drivers slow down, pay attention to the road and drive sober. Cyclists and pedestrians should obey traffic rules, should ride in bike lanes when possible, pedestrians should use sidewalks and designated crosswalks and should ALWAYS make eye contact with drivers when crossing the road.

If you or a loved one have been killed or seriously injured in a car accident or in a collision involving a motor vehicle, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. At Deutschmann Personal Injury Law we have highly experienced personal injury lawyers who will act on your behalf getting the benefits you deserve when you need them the most.

Don’t face your situation alone. Call us today 5.519.742.7774 for your free initial consultation, or fill out our online contact form. 

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.