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U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

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Re: U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

#2
"it does advise accelerated standardization and introduction of features including automatic emergency warning, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning systems"

If these things actually made a difference wouldn't vehicle deaths be falling unless some other change is offsetting the difference?

Re: U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

#4

"it does advise accelerated standardization and introduction of features including automatic emergency warning, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning systems" If these things actually made a difference wouldn't vehicle deaths be falling unless some other change is offsetting the difference?

I'd be surprised if automatic emergency warnings didn't increase fatalities. The absolute last thing I want my car to do in an emergency driving situation is add an additional distraction.

Re: U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

#5

"it does advise accelerated standardization and introduction of features including automatic emergency warning, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning systems" If these things actually made a difference wouldn't vehicle deaths be falling unless some other change is offsetting the difference?

unless some other change is offsetting the difference?

FTA:

"Many studies and observers cite the rise of mobile devices and their growing role in our lives as a possible cause behind the recent spike in traffic fatalities."

Anecdotally, in my area, teens often receive the current family car (which is often 8+ years old), or one of the families secondary vehicles. Then another vehicle is purchased for the parents, often new or a recent used vehicle. So the vehicle with less up-to-date safety options goes to the family member that is the least experienced driver.

Re: U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

#7
also conducted a survey that indicates some possible causes for the steady increases, including speed, texting via touch input or voice, as well as driving while under the influence.

I think most of it can be attributed to cellphone usage while driving.

And now that most drivers choose to use their smartphones as GPS rather than a dedicated GPS device, I think it's going to get much worse.

Re: U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

#9
I haven't found a link to less generalized data. What were road/traffic/driver conditions in the fatal accidents?

Were there more accidents, or were accidents themselves more fatal? What percentage of fatalities involved a semi? Happened on freeways?

What if climate change is the culprit? Road conditions have deterioriated as a result of changing weather patterns. Drivers have deteriorated as mobile devices become more central to our lives. I doubt that the 8% increase in fatalities is best explained by a 3% increase in miles traveled.

Re: U.S. motor vehicle deaths see biggest two year jump in over 50 years, per NSC

#10

automated enforcement for speed limit violations That is a concerning recommendation. How would this be achieved? GPS tracking? Speed limit cameras? Both methods can have serious privacy implications.

It appears the NSC are recommending speed cameras and red light cameras. The NSC non-profit has quite the history of recommending both.
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