There are various types of car accidents including work-related car accidents and catastrophic truck accidents. Motor vehicle accidents with injuries have been fluctuating over the last 60 years. Around the 70s and 80s car accident injuries decreased around the country including, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Motor vehicle accidents in US
Car accidents with injuries were 28 deaths per 100,000 population in 1970. By 2018, the statistics were about 11.7 deaths per 100,000 population. There are many reasons for statistical changes of injuries and deaths from car accidents. The improvements are from advanced safety technology and laws for wearing safety belts. The data found some common causes for car accidents as well.
Time behind the wheel
Americans spend more time behind the wheel on any given day. Many cities and rural areas don’t have reliable public transportation. Between 2014 and 2017, drivers were spending more time behind the wheel. Drivers 16 and older were spending an average of 51 minutes behind the wheel daily.
Highest crash rate by month
In 2018, September was the month with the most crashes. October and June had the second and third highest crashes of the year. The highest crash rate of 2021 was August. September and June tie for the second-highest of the year. It seems that the last six months of the year have more accidents than the first six.
Time of the day for the highest crash rate
3 p.m. to midnight is the deadliest time to drive in the US. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. had the highest car accident rate in 2018 and 2019. Rush hour has a lot to do with the increase of accidents during that time. Later in the day, people have a higher chance of being drunk behind the wheel. Drug overdoses and car accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans under 55.
Drivers spending more time behind the wheel a day increases the chances of a car accident. The advancement of car safety has lowered the risk of injury while driving over the years. 5.5% of high school students drove under the influence in 2017. Males have a higher risk of driving under the influence than females.
