Auto accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in the US. This source of fatality is also preventable.
In recent years, local and state governments have targeted the prevention of auto accidents in order to curb the tragedies that result. In 2011, Florida recorded the lowest number of traffic-related deaths since 1978, even though the state’s population has doubled. Last year, 2,373 people lost their lives in Florida auto accidents, compared to 2,444 people the year prior.
In fact, the number of traffic-related deaths in the state has been decreasing over the past six years. Julie L. Jones, the executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, called the trend “encouraging,” but emphasized the importance of sticking to strategic efforts to decrease the rate of auto accident deaths, a frequent cause of wrongful death claims. The Department’s approach to reducing traffic-related fatalities includes:
- Enforcement of traffic laws
- Education regarding traffic safety issues
- Licensing all drivers
- Registering all vehicles
- Effective use of technology
Like all accidents, car accidents are preventable. We all have the ability to prevent these tragedies, simply by always wearing a seatbelt and never driving drunk.
If you have been injured in an auto accident in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.