Auto Accident Facts
In Louisiana, like elsewhere, automobile accidents are a constant danger to all of us in our everyday lives. While motor vehicle deaths happen more often in collisions between motor vehicles than any other type of accident, these deaths only account for 45% of the total number of motor vehicle related deaths in the United States. This accident type represented 77% of injuries and 69% of both injury and all accidents. Collisions between a motor vehicle and a stationary object were the next most common accounting for 29% of deaths, followed by pedestrian accidents and non collisions (rollovers, etc.).
Don’t speed Louisiana. Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving at an unsafe speed was the most common error in fatal accidents in the U.S. Right-of-way violations predominated in the injury accidents and all accidents categories. Single-vehicle accidents involving collisions with fixed objects, pedestrians, and non collision accounted for a greater proportion of fatalities and fatal accidents compared to less serious accidents. These three accident types made up 53% of fatalities and 56% of fatal accidents, but 29% or less of injuries, injury accident, or all accidents. Studies have shown that a collision at speeds as little as 5 mph can cause neck injuries.
More motor vehicle deaths occurred on Saturday than any other day of the week in 2004 according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over 18% of fatal accidents occurred on Saturday, compared to about 17% on Sundays and 16% on Fridays. For overall motor vehicle accidents, Friday had the highest percentage with over 17%.
In 2004, there were 900,000 light truck occupants and 27,000 large truck occupants injured according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Light trucks represent about 36% of all motor-vehicle registration and a slightly higher percentage of vehicles involved in fatal accidents. In fact, medium and heavy truck occupants account for only about 2% of all motor-vehicle occupant fatalities while light truck occupants account for 34%.
Drinking alcohol and taking intoxicating substances is an especially bad idea for Louisiana drivers. About 40% of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2003 involved an intoxicated or alcohol impaired driver or non-motorist. In Louisiana, the penalties can be severe for driving while intoxicated can include loss of drivers license, fines, jail time and the required use of a alcohol ignition interlock device.
All Statistics from Injury Facts, 2001 and 2005-2006 Editions, National Safety Council