Although some reports indicate that auto accidents have decreased nationwide over the past ten years, the accident rates in some states have done the opposite. Ohio is one of those states. According to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal crashes have increased by nearly five percent in Ohio. There were almost 306,000 accidents reported in Ohio in 2016, which resulted in 112,000 injuries. Also, statistics show that well over 1,100 fatalities and over 400 of them were the result of drivers or passengers not wearing safety belts.
Why Are Ohio Roads So Unsafe?
While drunk driving is still a major problem in Ohio, distracted driving is proving to be even deadlier. People are still talking, texting, and checking their social media accounts while driving despite numerous warnings and fatal distracted driving accidents. People also eat, talk to passengers, fiddle with GPS devices, and partake in other activities that take their attention away from the road.
Law enforcement officials and safety agencies are continually researching ways to improve Ohio’s unsafe roads. Correcting dangerous behaviors is one of the most important goals to accomplish this widespread issue. Wearing safety belts and avoiding common distractions while driving are also two critical changes that need to happen for the state’s roads to become safer.
As fuel prices remain lower than they were about ten years ago and more people are on the road, the accident rates continue climb in Ohio and several other states. Researchers are constantly working on new technologies that can help reduce crash rates. From lane departure warnings to crash sensors that deploy brakes automatically, car manufacturers are implementing many safety features in newer cars to help prevent accidents.
Ohio Car Accident Statistics
Safety officials encourage all Ohio drivers to be proactive in developing safe driving habits and reporting unsafe drivers. There are about three fatal crashes per day in the state, which means that a person dies almost every eight hours. More than 8,500 children suffered injuries in auto accidents, and over 30 of the fatal crash victims in 2016 were children in Ohio. Drunk driving accounted for 30 percent of all fatal accidents in 2016, and roughly 65 percent of the state’s crashes happened during daylight hours.
To prevent yourself from being another statistic, be sure to practice safe driving at all times. In the instance you are injured in a car accident as a result of another party’s actions or lack thereof, reach out to Ohio Accident Attorneys. We have the legal resources to get you in contact with a local car accident attorney who can help you seek maximum compensation for your losses. Call us today for a free case evaluation.