Motor vehicle crash data statistics for the first half of 2015 (Jan. – June) produced by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal an 8% spike in traffic deaths over the same period in 2014. Stating that the numbers are a “call to action.” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind stated that the data is not clear enough yet to pinpoint exact causes but that human decisions are by far the largest cause of fatalities (NHTSA’s ressearch indicates 94 percent of all crashes are due to human error).
The agency announced that it will hold a series of cross-cutting regional meetings across the country early next year, capped by a nationwide gathering in Washington, to gather ideas, engage new partners, and generate additional approaches to combat human behavioral issues that contribute to road deaths. These meetings will address drunk, drugged, distracted and drowsy driving; speeding; failure to use safety features such as seat belts and child seats; and new initiatives to protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
