As Predicted, Auto Accidents Are in Decline
According to studies, gasoline prices are having a positive effect on traffic fatalities. As we talked about before, several studies have predicted that high gas prices would lead to a decline in auto accident fatalities. Now, preliminary figures are showing that not only are traffic accidents in decline, but they may reach their lowest level since 1961.
Traffic fatalities in 1961, when gasoline was $0.31 per gallon, were just over 36,200. Since then, traffic fatality rates have risen, and peaked at 55,600 in 1972. After years of steady decline, the number hovered just above 42,000 per year. Then last year it dropped to 41,059, and this year, the number of fatalities dropped sharply, 22 % in March, and 18 % in April. If the trend continues, fatalities will be less than 37,000 this year for the first time since 1961.
The changes, also as predicted, are not uniform across age groups. Teenagers and the elderly, who are the most likely to die in traffic accidents, are adversely affected by gasoline prices and tend to change their behaviors first.
Even if the numbers have declined, they are still too many, especially if that number includes someone you loved. If someone you love has suffered wrongful death as a result of an auto accident, contact the experienced auto accident lawyers at Pomerantz, Perlberger, and Lewis, LLP today for a free initial consultation.
