Traffic Deaths

Approximately 44,000 people die in auto accidents per year, yet leaders and politicians are not taking notice. There is no public outcry, no strict legislation on vehicles, and no regulation. Every year, disasters and war make up the top stories of the night but no one bothers to see the tragedy on our own roadways. In an article in the Washington Post, Peter J. Woolley puts the death toll caused by auto accidents in perspective. He urges the government and leaders to make traffic accidents a priority. Here are some excerpts:

-In any five-year period, the total number of traffic deaths in the United States equals or exceeds the number of people who died in the horrific South Asian tsunami in December 2004. U.S. traffic deaths amount to the equivalent of two tsunamis every 10 years.

-According to the National Safety Council, your chance of dying in an automobile crash is one in 84 over your lifetime. But your chances of winning the Mega Millions lottery are just one in 175 million.

To read the full article, click here

Keep in mind that these figures only include traffic fatalities but do not include non-traffic accidents such as children being left in a vehicle, children being struck by vechicles backing up, or incidents involving power windows. For more information on non-traffic accidents, please visit the kids and cars website.